Adolescent Cancer Telemedicine for Pain Management

Pain in adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer is a common problem, often related to treatment or to the cancer itself. Due to increasing outpatient-based cancer treatment, the burden of care and pain management has shifted to the home environment. Yet, there are limited interventions that target the management of pain at home. Adolescence is marked by increased need for independence and social integration, both of which can be impaired by pain or fear of pain. To address unique needs during this developmental period, this study will test a telemedicine program to enhance pain knowledge and pain control strategies in adolescents ages 12-21 years who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Fifty-six teens will be randomized to an intervention or wait-list control condition. Patients randomized to the waitlist control condition will receive the intervention following completion of the waitlist condition. The intervention will consist of four weekly 30-45 minute telemedicine (online via videoconferencing platform) sessions with a trained social work or psychology provider. Sessions will focus on pain psychoeducation, coping tools, communication, and stress management. Participants will complete online questionnaires assessing pain coping, pain management, and pain-related impairment at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 1- and 2-month follow-up.

Sex

All

Minimum age

12 Years

Maximum age

21 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 12-21 years
2. At least two months post cancer diagnosis
3. Experienced pain in the past month as defined by at least one pain experience rated \>3 on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale
4. Access to the internet for intervention sessions
5. Fluent in English (Given that the intervention will be delivered in English, all adolescents will need to be fluent in English to participate.)

Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Significant cognitive impairment that may affect their ability to participate