CancerNCT05456100
Chinese American Cancer Survivors Writing Study
A study testing Expressive Helping, Expressive Writing and Factual Writing in people with Cancer, run by New York University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The Chinese American Cancer Survivors Writing Study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) testing the feasibility and efficacy of the Expressive Helping (EH) intervention among Chinese American cancer survivors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cancer
- What is being tested?
- Expressive Helping, Expressive Writing and Factual Writing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 108 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 14 Jul 2022to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Over 18 years old.
- Prefer speaking in Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese, and able to read and write Simplified or Traditional Chinese.
- Within 5 years after completing primary treatment or have completed primary treatment but still on medication for managing cancer-related symptoms.
Who cannot join
- Difficulties with writing
- Current active participation in support groups (i.e., attending more than once per week)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing Expressive Helping for Chinese American Cancer Survivors
The Chinese American Cancer Survivors Writing Study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) testing the feasibility and efficacy of the Expressive Helping (EH) intervention among Chinese American cancer survivors.
Read the detailed description
Chinese Americans are one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in the United States, but there is still a lack of culturally-sensitive and linguistically-appropriate resources and interventions for this group. To address this gap, the investigators will examine the efficacy and feasibility of Expressive Helping, a writing intervention designed to lead participants to write about their cancer experiences. Participants will be adult cancer survivors of Chinese descent. After screening and consent, eligible participants will be enrolled in a 1:1:1 randomized controlled trial. Assessments of psychological symptoms will occur at baseline (prior to randomization), 1-month post-intervention, 3-months post-intervention, and 6-months post-intervention.
- Conditions
- Cancer
- Being tested
- Expressive Helping, Expressive Writing, Factual Writing
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Expressive HelpingBehavioural
Expressive helping involves a combination of emotional disclosure and peer support writing completed over four weeks.
Expressive WritingBehavioural
Expressive writing involves emotional disclosure writing over four weeks.
Factual WritingBehavioural
Factual writing involves writing facts about cancer treatment and experiences over four weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Helping | Experimental | Participants complete a 20-minute expressive writing session once per week for the first three weeks. During Week 4, participants complete a 20-minute peer support writing session. Receives: Behavioral: Expressive Helping |
| Expressive Writing | Active comparator | Participants complete a 20-minute expressive writing session once per week for four weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Expressive Writing |
| Factual Writing | Active comparator | Participants complete a 20-minute factual writing about their cancer diagnosis and treatment every week for four weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Factual Writing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Recruitment rates
The number of participants screened for eligibility, percent eligible to participate, and percent of people who refuse to participate will be tracked.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 6 months
Retention rates
Percent of participants who complete each stage of the study (e.g., baseline survey, writing sessions, follow-ups) will be tracked.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 6 months
Completion rate of writing sessions
Assessed by dividing the number of writing sessions finished by the number of sessions assigned.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 6 months
Secondary outcomes (5)
Changes in depressive symptoms assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
Depressive symptoms will be measured with the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The score can range from 0-30 and higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms.
Measured: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in anxiety symptoms assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener
Anxiety symptoms will be measured with the 7-item GAD-7 scale (Spitzer et al., 2006). This scale measures generalized anxiety symptoms in the past 7 days, has score ranges from 0-21 with higher scores indicating greater anxiety symptoms.
Measured: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in health-related quality of life assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General (FACT-G).
Health-related quality of life will be measured by the 27-item FACT-G, which assess four domains: physical well-being, social well-being, emotional well-being and functional well-being. The score ranges from 0-108 with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in perceived stress assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale.
Perceived stress is measured by the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The score ranges from 0-40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress.
Measured: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in cancer-related fatigue assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue
Cancer-related fatigue is measured by the 13-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT). The score ranges from 0-52 with higher scores indicating greater fatigue.
Measured: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Jul 2022
- Study start14 Jul 2022
- Primary completion30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by New York UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- New York University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05456100
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20-0603
- Other IDs
- 1K01MD014750
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Jul 2022
- Last updated
- 12 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: All IPD will be protected and maintained by the study team
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing Expressive Helping for Chinese American Cancer Survivors
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05456100
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 20-0603
- Conditions
- Cancer
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- New York UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
- Study start
- 14 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The Chinese American Cancer Survivors Writing Study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) testing the feasibility and efficacy of the Expressive Helping (EH) intervention among Chinese American cancer survivors.
Detailed description
Chinese Americans are one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in the United States, but there is still a lack of culturally-sensitive and linguistically-appropriate resources and interventions for this group. To address this gap, the investigators will examine the efficacy and feasibility of Expressive Helping, a writing intervention designed to lead participants to write about their cancer experiences. Participants will be adult cancer survivors of Chinese descent. After screening and consent, eligible participants will be enrolled in a 1:1:1 randomized controlled trial. Assessments of psychological symptoms will occur at baseline (prior to randomization), 1-month post-intervention, 3-months post-intervention, and 6-months post-intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive Helping | Experimental | Behavioral: Expressive HelpingParticipants complete a 20-minute expressive writing session once per week for the first three weeks. During Week 4, participants complete a 20-minute peer support writing session. |
| Expressive Writing | Active comparator | Behavioral: Expressive WritingParticipants complete a 20-minute expressive writing session once per week for four weeks. |
| Factual Writing | Active comparator | Behavioral: Factual WritingParticipants complete a 20-minute factual writing about their cancer diagnosis and treatment every week for four weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Over 18 years old.
- Prefer speaking in Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese, and able to read and write Simplified or Traditional Chinese.
- Within 5 years after completing primary treatment or have completed primary treatment but still on medication for managing cancer-related symptoms.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Difficulties with writing
- Current active participation in support groups (i.e., attending more than once per week)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Expressive HelpingExpressive helping involves a combination of emotional disclosure and peer support writing completed over four weeks. | Behavioural | Expressive Helping |
| Expressive WritingExpressive writing involves emotional disclosure writing over four weeks. | Behavioural | Expressive Writing |
| Factual WritingFactual writing involves writing facts about cancer treatment and experiences over four weeks. | Behavioural | Factual Writing |
Primary outcome
Recruitment rates
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 6 months
The number of participants screened for eligibility, percent eligible to participate, and percent of people who refuse to participate will be tracked.
Retention rates
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 6 months
Percent of participants who complete each stage of the study (e.g., baseline survey, writing sessions, follow-ups) will be tracked.
Completion rate of writing sessions
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 6 months
Assessed by dividing the number of writing sessions finished by the number of sessions assigned.
5 secondary outcomes
Changes in depressive symptoms assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
Time frame: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in anxiety symptoms assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener
Time frame: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in health-related quality of life assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General (FACT-G).
Time frame: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in perceived stress assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale.
Time frame: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Changes in cancer-related fatigue assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue
Time frame: Baseline to 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. All IPD will be protected and maintained by the study team
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Expressive Helping, Expressive Writing and Factual Writing in people with Cancer, run by New York University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Recruitment rates (time frame: through study completion, an average of 6 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jun 2026.