Abstract
Objective
Despite advances in cancer treatment and increased survival, adolescents in treatment for cancer often suffer from psychosocial distress, negative mood, and chronic health problems. Wilderness therapy is considered a promising program to address psychosocial issues among adolescents with mental or behavioral health issues. There is little research on whether it may benefit adolescents in cancer treatment.
Methods
This program evaluation in the form of a pilot study uses qualitative and quantitative measures to describe the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and to explore the impact of a nine-day wilderness program among adolescents aged 13–17 in treatment or who recently finished treatment for a cancer. Quantitative tracking documented recruitment, retention, safety, and participant satisfaction. PROMIS measures assessed mental and social health, positive affect, fatigue, pain interference and intensity over three time-points: pre, post, and three-months after the nine-day wilderness experience. Mean differences were compared over time. Qualitative data collection involved participant observation and open-ended interviews.
Results
Study enrollment goals were met, enrolling eight adolescent participants with 100% participant retention. No serious adverse events were reported and participants described high satisfaction (9.25/10) with the wilderness experience on the final day and at three-months follow-up (9.5/10). Exploratory data analysis showed scores in a favorable direction indicating improved psychosocial outcomes in physical functioning, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and peer relations. From qualitative analysis it is suggested that program participation supported: increased self-confidence and peer connection. The program was evaluated as increasing personal accomplishment, supporting social interaction, having strong staff support, and capitalizing on the natural surroundings.
Conclusion
Use of a wilderness program is feasible, acceptable, and safe among this highly vulnerable adolescent cancer population. Participants described greater self-confidence and peer connection which developed as participants experienced physical competency, group leadership, and personal strength. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to learn whether these programs can improve psychosocial outcomes.
Funder
Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Reference60 articles.
1. Cancer in older adolescents and young adults: epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and importance of clinical trials;WA Bleyer;Med Pediatr Oncol,2002
2. Childhood and adolescent cancer survival in the US by race and ethnicity for the diagnostic period 1975–1999;AM Linabery;Cancer,2008
3. Socioeconomic Impacts on Survival Differ by Race/Ethnicity among Adolescents and Young Adults with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma;EE Kent;J Cancer Epidemiol,2010
4. Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, Version 2.2018, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology;PF Coccia;J Natl Compr Canc Netw,2018
5. Cancer Statistics, 2017;RL Siegel;CA Cancer J Clin,2017