Virtual Art Therapy Assisted Re-Integration to Improve Biopsychosocial Outcomes in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors, AVATARS Trial
AVATARS: Adolescent and Young Adult Virtual Art Therapy Assisted Re-Integration During Cancer Survivorship
Mayo Clinic
30 participants
Jul 2, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This clinical trial tests the feasibility, usability and acceptability of a virtual art therapy assisted re-integration (AVATARS) intervention to improve biopsychosocial outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, resilience, emotional regulation, stress, and cognition, among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. AYA cancer survivors (especially those treated at adult cancer centers) historically experience worse psychosocial outcomes and lack age appropriate psychosocial support compared to older adult cancer survivors. Creative art therapy accesses the limbic system to provide a corrective emotional experience in response to trauma and can help patients visually express depression, anxiety, and existential fears, process traumatic events, and regain agency and control. The AVATARS intervention may be a feasible, useable and acceptable way to improve biopsychosocial outcomes among AYA cancer survivors.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- If young adult- aged 18-25 years of age at the time of enrollment and able to provide informed consent, if adolescent- aged 10-17 years at the time of enrollment and able to provide
- Mild or greater depression \[Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-A) score \> 5\]
- Received a cancer diagnosis during the past year, or completed cancer treatment within the past five years (extended survivorship)
- Have access to an electronic device which supports virtual videoconferencing (e.g., personal device or public library access)
- Able to read and write in English
Exclusion Criteria2
- Visual or cognitive impairment which may impede completing the art project or the data collection measures
- Endorsed suicidality (via PHQ-A or otherwise)
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Interventions
Complete virtual art therapy sessions. When complete the participant will receive a 3D printed replica of the avatar.
Ancillary studies
Ancillary studies
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07089927