Randomized Trial of a Computerized Symptom Assessment Tool to Help Adolescents and Young Adults Manage Cancer Symptoms

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of the Computerized Symptom Assessment Tool C-SCAT compared to usual care on improving self-efficacy for managing symptoms and symptom self-management behaviors in adolescents and young adults with cancer. This randomized controlled trial involves participants who are within the first three months of a cancer diagnosis and receiving cancer treatment defined as prescribed infusions like chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will use the C-SCAT tool during three clinic visits over about 12 weeks, where they assess and describe their symptoms in detail before meeting with their healthcare providers. The other group will receive usual symptom care during their scheduled visits for up to 12 weeks, with study staff maintaining contact to encourage ongoing participation. During the study, participants will complete symptom assessments and questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at follow-up to measure self-efficacy for symptom management and symptom self-management behaviors. Researchers will also evaluate symptom severity, distress, and social function using various scales. The total participation period includes the intervention and follow-up assessments, with outcomes measured at specific timepoints to understand the impact of the C-SCAT tool.

Heuristic Tool To Improve Symptom Self-Management in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer