# The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Intervention: a multi-site randomized controlled trial for Adolescents and Young Adults receiving Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

> **NIH NIH R01** · SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2020 · $501,665

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The experience of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematologic malignancy among
Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) is particularly difficult because age-related
developmental challenges of identity, relationships, and vocation may add to the burden of
cancer. Compared to other age-groups, AYAs have poorer psychosocial outcomes including
increased anxiety and depression and poorer adherence to oral immunosuppressive
medications. These outcomes may, in turn, predispose AYAs to disease-related morbidity and
mortality such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and/or cancer-relapse. A potential barrier
to improving these experiences may be that AYAs have few opportunities to develop the
personal resources needed to handle adversity. We have previously developed the “Promoting
Resilience in Stress Management” (PRISM) intervention for AYAs with serious illness. This
manualized, brief intervention is delivered in 4, 30-60 minute, one-on-one sessions, followed by
a family meeting. It targets skills in stress-management and mindfulness, goal-setting, positive
reframing, and meaning-making. All of these skills are associated with improved patient well-
being in other populations, and preliminary findings from a recently closed pilot randomized
controlled trial among AYAs with newly diagnosed cancer suggest PRISM is associated with
improved health-related quality of life. This application proposes to build on our prior
experience and fill a critical knowledge gap regarding PRISM’s impact among AYAs receiving
HCT. Thus, we propose a multi-site randomized controlled trial among N=70 AYAs (n=35
PRISM and n=35 usual care; ages 12-24 years), with the primary trial outcome of patient-
reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. Secondary outcomes will include patient
adherence to oral GVHD prophylaxis and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in this
population. We hypothesize that AYAs who receive PRISM will report fewer mixed affective
symptoms and demonstrate better adherence. We also anticipate the intervention will be cost-
effective. In sum, this application offers an opportunity to expand the body of knowledge
regarding methodologically rigorous and evidence-based psychosocial interventions and
standards of care for AYAs with hematologic malignancies. Ultimately, this research has the
potential to reduce the burden of cancer in these vulnerable populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9878801
- **Project number:** 5R01CA225629-03
- **Recipient organization:** SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Abby R Rosenberg
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $501,665
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9878801

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9878801, The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Intervention: a multi-site randomized controlled trial for Adolescents and Young Adults receiving Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (5R01CA225629-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9878801. Licensed CC0.

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