NCT06046014Completed
Feasibility of Expressive Writing for Body Image Distress and Anxiety Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Determining the Feasibility of Expressive Writing for Body Image Distress and Anxiety Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 11 May 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Each year, about 89,500 adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 15-39 years old) are diagnosed with cancer and up to 60% experience body image (BI) distress. BI is largely developed in adolescence and young adulthood and has implications for self-identity and quality of life. Cancer itself and its associated treatments precipitate changes to appearance as well as body sensation and function, all of which can alter BI and lead to increased anxiety. An in-home BI-focused expressive writing (EW) program offers a promising outlet for addressing BI distress and anxiety in a way that eliminates constraints of clinical time and specialist availability. There are no recommended interventions to help AYA cancer survivors cope with BI distress. To address this knowledge gap, the objective of this this pilot randomized-controlled trial is to determine the feasibility of a four-week BI-focused EW intervention to decrease BI distress and anxiety among AYA cancer survivors with the hypothesis that this intervention will reduce BI distress and anxiety.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 30 (actual)
- First submitted
- 13 Sept 2023
- Start date
- Sept 2024
- Primary completion date
- Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
- Diseases
- Childhood cancers
- NCT number
- NCT06046014
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Participants enrolled: 30
- From Sept 2024 to the primary completion date, Jun 2025
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Initiation of new treatments for body image distress or anxiety (e.g., pharmacologic, psychotherapy) ≤8 weeks prior to study enrollment. Although, participants may continue psychosocial or pharmacological treatments for anxiety or body image distress if the treatment were initiated at least eight weeks prior to study enrollment, the dose has not changed, and they report clinically relevant body image distress.
- Currently receiving end-of-life care
Other illness
- Plan to receive surgery, radiation, chemotherapy (including biologic agents, immunotherapy, and other targeted agents) for cancer treatment during the study period (from baseline assessment through post-four-week assessments and interview). Participants may continue with surveillance (such as imaging or biopsies) during the study period.
- History of limb-altering surgery or amputation (surgical exclusions are based on the premise that significant appearance-altering surgeries may impact body image distress differently than other cancer therapies)
Who the study is looking for
- Age 15-39 years
- History of one or more cancer diagnoses with all treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) completed ≥ 3 months before enrollment)
- BIS ≥10 at time of screening
- Ability to provide consent or assent and parental consent if applicable.
Age in the registry: 15 years to 39 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Ann Arbor | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.