Group-Based Support Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults With Lymphoma: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Dalnim Cho, Sairah Ahmed, Stella Snyder, Juliet Kroll, Minxing Chen, Michael Roth, Kathrin Milbury
Psycho-oncology December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/pon.70343 via PubMed
Summary
For adolescents and young adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy, a group-based psychoeducation intervention delivered via videoconference led to significant improvements in cancer-related symptom severity and interference over 12 weeks, while a meditation-based intervention did not show similar benefits. Both interventions were feasible, with comparable attendance and assessment completion rates, though consent was only 51.4%. Virtual delivery of supportive care appears accessible and scalable, but strategies to improve adherence and retention are needed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Adolescents and young adults aged 18-39 years with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy |
| Keywords | Aya cancer survivors Lymphomas Meditation‐based intervention Oncology Psychoeducation |
| Registration | NCT04270266 |
| Key finding | The psychoeducation intervention, but not the meditation intervention, showed significant improvements in cancer-related symptom severity and interference from baseline to 12 weeks. |
Abstract
Lymphomas are one of the primary cancers that affect adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We examined the feasibility of two group-based interventions-one meditation-based and one education-based-for AYAs with lymphoma. We also explored their potential benefits for reducing psychological distress and cancer-related symptom burden. Patients aged 18-39 years with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy were randomized to either the meditation or psychoeducation intervention. Both received 5 weekly sessions (60 min each) delivered in a group setting via videoconferencing. Participants were assessed at baseline (T1), 6 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks (T3). Participants were randomized to the meditation (n = 28) or psychoeducation intervention (n = 32) with a consent rate of 51.4%. Session attendance was similar across interventions, with 60.7% in the meditation intervention and 56.3% in the psychoeducation intervention attending all 5 sessions (χ2(4) = 0.65). Assessment completion rates in the meditation intervention were 75% at T2 and 64% at T3; in the psychoeducation intervention, rates were 78% at both time points. From T1 to T3, the psychoeducation intervention showed significant improvements in cancer-related symptom severity (mean difference = 0.75, p = 0.041) and interference (mean difference = 1.07, p = 0.028). Videoconference-delivered, group-based supportive care for AYAs with lymphoma during active cancer treatment appears feasible and may help reduce symptom burden or prevent further worsening of quality of life. Virtual delivery enhances accessibility and scalability across diverse clinical settings. Strategies to improve adherence and retention are needed to optimize engagement in this population. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04270266.