Adapting and Pilot Testing a Loneliness Intervention for Cancer Survivors

NCT07418437 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00023577
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Loneliness, which is the perceived lack of social support and connection, has increased substantially in the past decade and is adversely affecting the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors. The study seeks to test an intervention that builds on the principles of social prescribing, and targets loneliness to determine if it improves overall wellness and quality of life among cancer survivors.

Conditions

Cancer Survivorship; Loneliness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Loneliness

  The primary outcome is to see changes in loneliness using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Version 3 (UCLA). It contains 20 questions that ask about loneliness-related experiences. Loneliness score range 0-80 with 80 indicating a maximum value and severe loneliness.

  Baseline, 9 Weeks, 2 Month Follow Up

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Social Connection

  Baseline, 9 Weeks, 2 Month Follow Up

• Self-Efficacy

  Baseline, 9 Weeks, 2 Month Follow Up

• Quality of Life Core 30

  Baseline, 9 Weeks, 2 Month Follow Up

• PHQ-9

  Baseline, 9 Weeks, 2 Month Follow Up

• GAD-7

  Baseline, 9 Weeks, 2 Month Follow Up

Study Arms (2)

Social Prescribing Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be randomized to the Social Prescribing group (N=18). Social Prescribing group participants will meet for 60 mins via Zoom, for 9-weeks.

Behavioral: Social Prescribing Group

Usual Care Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be randomized to the Usual Care group (N=18). Participants in this group will resume to their usual standard of care for 9 weeks.

Behavioral: Usual Care

Interventions

Social Prescribing Group BEHAVIORAL

Those in the Social Navigation intervention group will meet with the facilitator through a virtual visit (HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing or phone call based on patient preference) over the course of 9 weeks. Each virtual visit will last approximately 60 minutes. During the group intake visit, the facilitator will guide participants to complete an inventory of the participant's existing social network, former social network, and interests. Using this, in the second visit, the facilitator will work with the participants one-on-one to develop an action plan to promote, establish or re-establish social connections. The action plan will be referenced and refined throughout the course of the following 7 weeks. They will suggest specific social activities and connect patients to resources such as, community-based organizations or local social groups matched to individual participant interest to assist with social connection.

Social Prescribing Group

Usual Care BEHAVIORAL

Those randomized to the Usual Care group will receive usual care from their primary care clinician. At the conclusion of the study (after the final outcomes are collected), they will be offered a list of possible community-based organizations for social connection.

Usual Care Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• years of age or older
• English-speaking
• A score greater or equal to 6 on the UCLA Loneliness 3-item Scale
• Cancer survivor with a cancer diagnosis

You may not qualify if:

• Are on palliative care or live in a controlled setting (i.e., assisted living, nursing home or inpatient treatment facility)
• Have an upcoming scheduled surgery
• Severe cognitive impairment or active psychosis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Washington: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington, 98105, United States

Location

Study Officials

• Sebastian Tong, MD, MPH

  University of Washington

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Posted: February 18, 2026
• Study Start: March 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)