Peer Support for Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients

Overseen By Samantha Mayo, RN PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

Disqualifiers: Non-English speaking

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 6 months

15 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial investigates how a peer support group can assist young adults who have undergone a type of bone marrow transplant called Allo-HSCT. The researchers aim to determine if connecting with peers who have similar experiences can improve mental health, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of support. Participants will join a monthly online support group for six months. Suitable candidates have undergone an Allo-HSCT more than three months ago for any blood-related disorder and are between 18 and 39 years old. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to connect with others and potentially enhance mental well-being.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this peer support program is safe for adolescents and young adults undergoing Allo-HSCT?

Studies have shown that peer support for young adults can lead to better mental health, including increased happiness, confidence, and stress management. Research also indicates that these groups can help reduce feelings of depression, loneliness, and anxiety.

For young people with blood disorders undergoing stem cell transplants, peer support has helped them feel more connected and supported. No reports of negative effects from joining peer support groups exist, making it a safe option for those considering joining a trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the peer support group for bone marrow transplant recipients because it offers a unique, human-centered approach that differs from traditional clinical treatments. Unlike standard treatments focusing on medical interventions, this approach leverages the emotional and psychological benefits of connecting patients with peers who have similar experiences. The monthly online support sessions provide a platform for sharing experiences and advice, which can enhance emotional well-being and potentially improve overall recovery outcomes. This new method emphasizes the importance of mental health in physical healing, offering a holistic complement to existing medical care.

What evidence suggests that the AYA Peer Support Program is effective for improving mental health in Allo-HSCT patients?

Research shows that support from peers can aid young adults undergoing medical treatments like Allo-HSCT, a type of stem cell transplant. Studies have found that such support links to better mental health, including increased happiness and self-confidence. Participants often report feeling less depressed, lonely, and anxious. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a monthly online AYA peer support group, the intervention being tested. Another study pointed out that organized peer support can provide essential emotional and practical help for those facing challenging medical procedures. Overall, evidence suggests that peer support groups can enhance feelings of connection and improve mental well-being in young patients. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Samantha Mayo, RN PhD

Principal Investigator

University Health Network, Toronto

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents and young adults who are undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants, a treatment often used for serious blood disorders including cancer. Participants should be interested in joining a peer support group to potentially improve their mental health during the transplant process.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a candidate for a stem cell transplant from a donor.

It has been over 3 months since my stem cell transplant.

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speaking

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a monthly online AYA peer support group for six months

6 months

6 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depressive symptoms, social connectedness, and anxiety

6 months

3 visits (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Peer Support Group

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of a peer support program designed specifically for young patients receiving stem cell transplants. The goal is to see if this social support can help reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression while increasing happiness and self-esteem.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Peer Support Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention will be a monthly online AYA peer support group (1 hour) that will run for six months via Microsoft Teams.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Health Network, Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,555

Recruited

526,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Psychological issues such as fatigue, depression, and relationship changes are common among adolescents and young adults (AYA) following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

The study proposes a developmental treatment model based on qualitative data and case studies, emphasizing a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to address the unique challenges faced by AYA transplant patients in their first year post-transplant.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial care for adolescent and young adult hematopoietic cell transplant patients. Cooke, L., Chung, C., Grant, M.[2021]

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (alloHSCT) reported better physical quality of life and higher activity scores compared to older patients, indicating a unique resilience in this age group.

Despite their higher physical well-being, AYA patients showed similar psychosocial restrictions as older patients, highlighting the need for tailored support and awareness of their specific challenges during recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical and psychosocial aspects of adolescent and young adults after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: results from a prospective multicenter trial. Pulewka, K., Wolff, D., Herzberg, PY., et al.[2018]

In a study of 279 adolescent and young adult survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), social functioning was found to be significantly below age-adjusted norms, indicating long-term challenges in this area.

Factors such as distress, fatigue, and physical function were strongly associated with social functioning, suggesting that interventions aimed at improving these symptoms could enhance the social well-being of HSCT survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors associated with social functioning among long-term cancer survivors treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as adolescents or young adults. Walsh, CA., Yi, JC., Rosenberg, AR., et al.[2021]

A systematic review of eight studies involving 574 patients with hematologic malignancies or those who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) found that peer support may lead to improved physical symptoms and overall health outcomes.

Despite some positive findings, the literature on peer support in this population is limited, indicating a need for more randomized controlled trials to better understand its effectiveness and develop empirically based interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer support in patients with hematologic malignancies: a systematic review. Amonoo, HL., Harnedy, LE., Staton, SC., et al.[2022]

The study analyzed the psychosocial impact of autologous bone marrow transplantation (AuBMT) on 45 high-risk breast cancer patients, highlighting that recovery is influenced by various psychosocial factors across physical, emotional, vocational, social, and family domains.

Group support interventions were found to significantly enhance the healing process, providing valuable resources and support for participants during their challenging recovery from this aggressive treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The psychosocial experience of women treated for breast cancer by high-dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplant: a qualitative analysis of support groups. Feigin, R., Greenberg, A., Ras, H., et al.[2019]

In a study of 282 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation, those with partners reported significantly higher levels of positive social support, which is crucial for emotional well-being during treatment.

The research identified that problematic social support negatively impacts emotional and social functioning, highlighting the importance of healthy support systems for patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social support and quality of life of patients prior to stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. Frick, E., Ramm, G., Bumeder, I., et al.[2015]

A study involving 25 hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients revealed that while 70% had no formal experience with peer support, 83% recognized its potential benefits, such as managing expectations and uncertainty during recovery.

Most participants (60%) expressed a preference for initiating a peer support intervention before their HSCT hospitalization, indicating a strong desire for support during the pre-transplant phase.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer support in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): a qualitative study. Amonoo, HL., Harnedy, LE., Deary, EC., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9119381/

Peer support in patients with hematologic malignancies ... Peer support in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): a qualitative study

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06704243?term=AREA%5BConditionSearch%5D(stem%20cell%20and%20leukemia)&rank=7

Peer Support Group for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) ... There is literature to suggest that peer support for young adults is associated with improvements in mental health including greater happiness, self-esteem and ...

3. astctjournal.org astctjournal.org/article/S2666-6367(24)00689-4/fulltext

A Peer Support Intervention in Patients With Hematologic ... The STEPP intervention is a novel, structured, phone-delivered intervention for patients undergoing HSCT. STEPP focuses on providing informational, emotional, ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2666636725011133

A Structured Peer Support Intervention for Patients with ... This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of peer support interventionists (participants) delivering a structured, five-session, phone-delivered ...

5. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/297183/peer-support-group-for-adolescent-and-young-adult-aya-allogeneic-stem-cell-transplant-recipients/?&geo_lat=43.732256&geo_lng=-79.493385&radius=10&place=Downsview&user_country=Canada

Peer Support Group for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA ... Peer Support Group for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients. Recruiting. 18 - 39 years of age. Both.

6. bloodcancerunited.org bloodcancerunited.org/other-helpful-organizations/blood-cancer-treatment/transplantation-blood-and-marrow

Transplantation: Blood and Marrow Provides an extensive volunteer peer support program; Offers Telephone Education and Support Group for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Survivors: Coping ...