CARE Study: Cancer, Asian Americans, and Relationship Enrichment

Positive Activities for Asian American Cancer Patients and Caregivers

The overarching goal of the current study is to reduce the burden Asian American patients may feel are on their caregivers by designing and testing the feasibility and efficacy of a positive activity intervention designed to increase a sense of autonomy, competence, and connectedness, each of which have been shown to be associated with psychological benefits according to self-determination theory.

This study will introduce two new positive activities, household contribution and outside contribution, which have been specifically created for AA cancer patients and have not been previously investigated. These interventions have been developed with consideration of culture-related challenges, Hofstede's concept of collectivist cultures, and self-determination theory. This study will be the first randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of these new positive activities on Asian-American cancer patients.

Inclusion Criteria for Patients:

1. self-identifies as Asian American or Asian
2. males or females ages 21-80 years
3. within 2 years of any cancer diagnosis or stage 4 cancer diagnosis
4. actively undergoing surgery or systemic therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy) or within the past 6 months,
5. able to identify a caregiver (e.g., spouse) who lives in the same household or see at least 3 times per week
6. able to read, write, and speak English (i.e., English proficient; EP) or Mandarin/simplified Chinese.

Exclusion Criteria for patients:

1. life expectancy less than 6 months in the opinion of the primary physician
2. inability to stand or walk on their own or other physical limitations that preclude them from participating (3+ on ECOG performance status),
3. major thought disorder (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar [patient records or self-disclosure]).

Inclusion Criteria for Caregivers:

1. identifies as Asian American or Asian,
2. patient considers them to be caregiver
3. English proficient or Mandarin Chinese proficient
4. access to computer/phone, internet, and web browser.

Exclusion Criteria for Caregivers:

1. unwilling or unable to participate in the study for any reason,
2. under the age of 18.