NCT06769334 · Nationwide Children's Hospital
Preparing for Life and Academics for Young Childhood Cancer Survivors
(PLAY)
What this study is about
The goal of this clinical trial is to test and improve an online program for caregivers of young childhood cancer survivors called the Preparing for Life and Academics for Young Survivors program (PLAY). The PLAY program was created with a group of caregivers of young children with cancer and healthcare providers.
View original scientific description
The goal of this clinical trial is to test and improve an online program for caregivers of young childhood cancer survivors called the Preparing for Life and Academics for Young Survivors program (PLAY). The PLAY program was created with a group of caregivers of young children with cancer and healthcare providers. Ultimately, investigators hope to see if the program can improve positive parenting behaviors, reduce caregiver stress, and help get young children ready for school. In the preliminary phase of this clinical trial, investigators are aiming to answer these questions: 1. Are caregivers of childhood cancer survivors willing to participate in the PLAY program and complete assessments before and after the program? 2. Do caregivers of childhood cancer survivors rate the PLAY program as easy to use? 3. Are caregivers of childhood cancer survivors satisfied with the PLAY program? 4. How can the PLAY program be improved in the future? 5. Does PLAY help improve how caregivers interact and read with their children or how they manage their own stress? When the child is transitioning to maintenance phase therapies or is no longer actively in cancer treatment, caregivers will be invited to participate. If they agree to participate, they will complete surveys when they begin the study as well as a videotaped interaction task reading and playing with their child. Children will complete brief developmental testing at the beginning of the program. Caregivers will then complete the PLAY Program, which will involve completing 7 weekly or bi-weekly online modules and meeting with a trained coach by videoconference for up to 10 one-hour sessions over three months. Sessions will focus on helping their child get ready for school and helping their family adjust and cope with stress. Caregivers will repeat the surveys and videotaped interaction task again three months later, after the PLAY program is completed. They will also be invited to participate in an interview to learn about their experience in the program. This study will happen over two phases. Participants in Phase I of this study will complete all parts of the study as described above. Participants in Phase II (beginning in winter 2025) will complete all parts of the study as described above and a six month follow up that will involve repeating the similar questionnaires and an additional videotaped interaction with their child. Teachers of children will also take part in Phase II with questionnaires at baseline and 3-months later, after participants have completed the PLAY program.
Interventions
OTHER
PLAY Program
The PLAY Program is a web-based program created for caregivers of childhood cancer survivors. The program consists of seven modules with the following topics: 1) Introduction to the program 2) Self-Care 3) Relationships 4) Getting Ready for School 5) Talking, Reading, and Counting together 6) Social and Emotional Development 7) Review Module. The program is meant to be completed over approximately three months, and caregivers in the program will meet with a coach on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to discuss what they learned in the modules and how to practice it in their daily lives.
Primary outcome measures
System Usability Scale
Time frame: 3 months post-enrollment
This is a 10-item measure that will quantitatively assess usability of our web-based program. The SUS measures how accessible the website is and whether participants can understand the content of the website on a scale of 0-100. We will continue to recruit until our website has achieved an average score of \>68% (above average).
Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)
Time frame: 3 Months Post-Enrollment
Participants will use this four-item measure to rate the appropriateness of the PLAY program. Each item is rated from 1-5 and the final score for the measure is the average number for all answers. A higher score means a participant rated the PLAY program as more appropriate, an overall score of 4 or higher (80%) means a participant found the program to be appropriate.
Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)
Time frame: 3 Months Post-Enrollment
This is a four-item measure that will have participants rate the acceptability of the PLAY program. Each item is rated from 1-5 and the final score for the measure is the average number for all answers. A higher score means a participant rated the PLAY program as more acceptable, an overall score of 4 or higher (80%) means a participant found the program to be acceptable.
Adapted Website Evaluation Questionnaire (WEQ)
Time frame: 3 months post-enrollment
This measure will assess accessibility and satisfaction with the PLAY Program. Four overall items will be rated from 1-10 by participants. The overall score will be the average response across items. A higher score indicates higher satisfaction with the program. Overall scores of 8 or higher (\> 80%) are an indication of satisfaction with the PLAY program.
Feasibility of the PLAY program
Time frame: 3 month post-enrollment (Phase I); 3 and 6 month post-enrollment (Phase II)
Enrollment rate (#enrolled/#approached; milestone greater than or equal to 50%), completion rate (# completing core PLAY sessions/#enrolled; milestone greater than or equal to 75%), retention rate (#completers of 3 and 6 month assessments/ # enrolled at baseline; milestone greater than or equal to 70%); Caregivers who rate the intervention greater than or equal to 80% on the Feasibility Intervention Measure (FIM; milestone \>80%), which is a four-item measure. Each item is rated from 1-5 and the final score for the measure is the average number for all answers. A higher score means a participant rated the PLAY program as more feasible, an overall score of 4 or higher (80%) means a participant found the program to be feasible.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- For the caregiver:
- Caregiver is the legal guardian of the child (e.g., mothers, fathers, grandparents, adoptive parents)
- Caregiver lives with the child more than 50% of the time
- Caregiver primary language is English
- Caregiver lives within 150 miles of Nationwide Children's Hospital For the childhood cancer survivor:
- Received treatment for their cancer (e.g., chemotherapy, surgical resection, radiation therapy)
- Completed cancer treatment or on maintenance therapy only, without evidence of recurrent disease
- Childhood cancer survivor is currently between the ages of 3 years old to 6 years old, but no older than 6.5 years old at study enrollment Exclusion Criteria for the childhood cancer survivor:
- Has a documented neurodevelopmental disorder prior to their cancer diagnosis (e.g., neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Down's syndrome, autism)
- Did not receive any treatment for their cancer (e.g., chemotherapy, surgical resection, radiation)
- Treated for a benign tumor For the teacher: Classroom or daycare teacher of the childhood cancer survivor
Exclusion criteria
- for the childhood cancer survivor:
- Has a documented neurodevelopmental disorder prior to their cancer diagnosis (e.g., neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Down's syndrome, autism)
- Did not receive any treatment for their cancer (e.g., chemotherapy, surgical resection, radiation)
- Treated for a benign tumor For the teacher: Classroom or daycare teacher of the childhood cancer survivor
Where
- Columbus, Ohio
Collaborators
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Nov 17, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations