Virtual Art Therapy Assisted Re-Integration to Improve Biopsychosocial Outcomes in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors, AVATARS Trial

This clinical trial tests the feasibility, usability and acceptability of a virtual art therapy assisted re-integration (AVATARS) intervention to improve biopsychosocial outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, resilience, emotional regulation, stress, and cognition, among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. AYA cancer survivors (especially those treated at adult cancer centers) historically experience worse psychosocial outcomes and lack age appropriate psychosocial support compared to older adult cancer survivors. Creative art therapy accesses the limbic system to provide a corrective emotional experience in response to trauma and can help patients visually express depression, anxiety, and existential fears, process traumatic events, and regain agency and control. The AVATARS intervention may be a feasible, useable and acceptable way to improve biopsychosocial outcomes among AYA cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18-25 years of age at the time of enrollment and able to provide informed consent * Mild or greater depression \[Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-A) score \> 5\] * Received a cancer diagnosis during the past year, or completed cancer treatment within the past five years (extended survivorship) * Have access to an electronic device which supports virtual videoconferencing (e.g., personal device or public library access) * Able to read and write in English Exclusion Criteria: * Participation in art therapy within the past 12 months * Visual or cognitive impairment which may impede completing the art project or the data collection measures * Endorsed suicidality (via PHQ-A or otherwise)