iCanWork Intervention for Cancer Survivorship

(iCanWork Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McGill University

Disqualifiers: Metastatic cancer, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how the iCanWork program can assist cancer survivors in returning to work and improving their well-being. Participants will either receive regular care or participate in the iCanWork program, which includes sessions with professionals to support their return to work. The study seeks individuals who had cancer, were employed before their diagnosis, and are currently on sick leave but have not yet resumed working. Eligibility requires living in Canada, reading English or French, and having a doctor's approval. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance support for cancer survivors returning to work.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that the iCanWork intervention is safe for cancer survivors?

Research has shown that the iCanWork program is practical and well-received for helping cancer survivors return to work. In past studies, participants found the program helpful. No reports of serious safety issues or negative effects have been associated with this program. It includes sessions with professionals, such as job counselors and occupational therapists, who assist individuals in returning to work. Overall, the iCanWork program appears safe and well-accepted by participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the iCanWork Intervention because it offers a comprehensive approach to helping cancer survivors return to work (RTW) by combining vocational rehabilitation counseling (VRC) and occupational therapy (OT). Unlike standard care, which typically involves general education and advice, iCanWork provides personalized support through six one-hour VRC sessions and up to four one-hour OT sessions. This intervention is tailored to each individual's needs, facilitating a smoother transition back to the workplace. The personalized, hands-on nature of the program aims to address specific RTW challenges that survivors face, potentially improving their quality of life and workplace reintegration compared to existing options.

What evidence suggests that the iCanWork intervention is effective for cancer survivors returning to work?

Research has shown that the iCanWork program, which participants in this trial may receive, offers promising results for cancer survivors aiming to return to work. In an earlier study, about half of the participants returned to full-time work within three months, compared to only a third in a group that did not use the program. Participants found the program helpful and suited to their needs. Early findings suggest that iCanWork slightly improves work ability and satisfaction. Overall, these results indicate that iCanWork could effectively help cancer survivors return to their jobs. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The iCanWork trial is for cancer survivors in Canada, aged 18-65, who were working at the time of diagnosis and are currently on sick leave or disability but haven't been off work for more than 2 years. Participants must understand English or French and have not yet started returning to work since their treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

has not started to return to work, since stopping due to cancer

can read and understand English or French

I was diagnosed with cancer and aimed to cure it while I was between 18 and 65 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

If the cancer survivor's physicians consider returning to work unwise, such as due to a metastatic cancer diagnosis

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the iCanWork intervention, including 6 sessions with a vocational rehabilitation counsellor and 1-4 sessions with an occupational therapist

6-12 weeks

6-10 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for return to work status, health-related quality of life, and work capacity

24 months

Follow-up assessments at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• iCanWork Intervention

Trial Overview This study tests the 'iCanWork' program's ability to help cancer survivors return to work. It looks at how well it improves quality of life, reduces healthcare use, prepares participants for work re-entry, speeds up return-to-work time, and enhances job capacity.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: iCanWork Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

iCanWork includes 6 1-hour sessions with a VRC and 1 to 4 1-hour sessions with an OT. In the positive event that a participant has returned to work during the study, three of the six VRC sessions are reserved to support the participants in their transition to the workplace.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the control group will receive their usual care and will be referred to the Cancer Work website for educational resources related to RTW. If they contact the team with RTW-related questions, they will be referred to their care teams.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McGill University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

421

Recruited

1,017,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The use of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) during follow-up consultations for 187 cancer patients did not lead to significant improvements in patient activation (PA), as measured by the Patient Activation Measurement (PAM).

While ePRO did not enhance PA, it appeared to support patient involvement (PI) by facilitating more open dialogue, encouraging patients to ask questions and share their experiences, although some patients still felt uninvolved.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cancer follow-up supported by patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing intended curative complex surgery for advanced cancer. Ravn, S., Thaysen, HV., Verwaal, VJ., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 356 cancer patients, the telephone caseworker (TCW) model showed a significant improvement in physical functioning at 3 months compared to usual care, suggesting potential benefits of this intervention.

Participants in the TCW model reported better communication with their healthcare team and were more likely to have their needs addressed, indicating that this model may help in managing psychosocial needs, although no overall intervention effect was observed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of two supportive care interventions on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and unmet needs in patients with nonlocalized breast and colorectal cancers. Girgis, A., Breen, S., Stacey, F., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12110094/

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of iCanWork Conclusions: iCanWork is a feasible and acceptable RTW intervention for ITBC with early indications of benefit. These findings inform the design and outcome ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05546736

NCT05546736 | iCanWork: A Randomized Controlled Trial The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the iCanWork intervention in assisting cancer survivors (CS) to return to work (RTW) and its impact on ...

3. doi.org doi.org/10.20944/preprints202502.0930.v1

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of iCanWork ITBC often face negative work outcomes that persist well beyond the first year post-diagnosis, lasting up to a decade [5]. Compared to their ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/391564180_Pilot_Randomized_Controlled_Trial_of_iCanWork_A_Theory-Guided_Return_to_Work_Intervention_for_Cancer_Survivors

(PDF) Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of iCanWork Participants found the intervention highly satisfactory for its tailored support. The iCanWork group demonstrated modest improvements in WAI ...

5. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20250611/New-pilot-project-shows-early-success-in-helping-cancer-survivors-return-to-work.aspx

New pilot project shows early success in helping cancer ... Half of the participants returned to full-time work within three months, compared to about one-third in the control group. Participants also ...

6. bioengineer.org bioengineer.org/new-program-empowers-cancer-survivors-to-reenter-the-workforce-with-confidence/

New Program Empowers Cancer Survivors to Reenter the ... The iCanWork program is a structured, 10-step digital intervention that facilitates virtual engagement between cancer survivors and specialized ...