EMBody

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Harnessing Adaptive Body Mindsets to Improve Outcomes in Childhood Cancer Survivors

  • IRAS ID

    324319

  • Contact name

    Lauren Heathcote

  • Contact email

    Lauren.heathcote@kcl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    King's College London

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 11 months, 28 days

  • Research summary

    Survivors of childhood cancer experience impaired health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and pain. A previously developed body mindset intervention has improved health-related quality of life and symptom distress in adult cancer patients. In the current research, we will examine whether a body mindset intervention can instil adaptive body mindsets, boost resilience, and improve physical and psychological functioning in survivors of childhood cancer.

    Survivors of childhood cancer will be randomised to the body mindset intervention or an active attention control group. The body mindset intervention aims to instil adaptive mindsets that the child’s body is resilient, working with them rather than against them, and is capable of healing after cancer treatment and that an experience of cancer can be an opportunity. Participants receiving the body mindset intervention will complete three modules over six-weeks consisting of short films and reflection exercises to guide participants to more adaptive mindsets. Participants in this group will also complete a range of questionnaires at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 6, and at a 10-week, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up.
    Participants in the active attention control group complete the same questionnaires at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 6, and at a 10-week, 3-month and 12-month follow-up. The purpose of the active attention control group is to control for completing online surveys and engaging with the research team to receive surveys.

    Survivors aged 16-25 will be recruited from The Royal Marsden Hospital, University College London Hospital (UCLH), Oxford University Hospital (OUH) and University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Clinicians will screen medical records and contact those who are eligible to provide information about the study. Overall, we predict that the body mindset intervention will increase adaptive mindsets, reduce maladaptive mindsets, and improve health-related quality of life, resilience, psychological and physical functioning compared to the active attention control group.

  • REC name

    London - South East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    24/LO/0087

  • Date of REC Opinion

    19 Mar 2024

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion