Catalyzing Research to Optimize Participation in Work & Life Roles of Cancer Survivors: Moving Beyond Symptom Management

The goal of the second Planning Grant Collective was to establish research teams that will develop grant proposals for studies that move the evidence base for cancer rehabilitation beyond impairment reduction to target improving cancer survivors’ productivity and participation in meaningful activity. Researchers from the disciplines of occupational therapy, nursing, oncology, physiatry, physical therapy, psychology, and exercise science attended the event. 

The event led to the formation of research teams that created action plans regarding publications and collection of pilot data to advance three lines of inquiry ultimately focused on reducing participation restrictions experienced by cancer survivors. One research team is analyzing existing data to inform the development an intervention designed to address employment concerns of people diagnosed with early-stage cancer. Another team is re-analyzing existing qualitative data to identify ways to use a community-based self-management approach to foster optimal participation in life roles and meaningful activities. The third team has designed a pilot study to collect descriptive data regarding participation restrictions, in order to inform intervention development within clinic settings.

View OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health article: Newman, R. M., Alfano, C. M., Radomski, M. V., Pergolotti, M., Wolf , T. J., Sleight, A. G., … Lyons, K. D. (2019). Catalyzing Research to Optimize Cancer Survivors’ Participation in Work and Life Roles. . https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449219844749

Participants  (*Committee Member)

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor & Chair, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, University of Missouri

Catherine Alfano*, PhD, Vice President, Survivorship, American Cancer Society

Arash Asher, MD, Director, Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Brent Braveman, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Director, Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Ashley Leak Brant, PhD, RN-BC, OCN, Asst. Professor,  School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Andrea L. Cheville, MD, Chair of Research, Dept. of Physical Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Elvan Daniels, MD, MPH, Program Director, American Cancer Society

Janet S. de Moor, PhD, MPH, Behavioral Scientist and Program Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute

Allison King, MD, MPH, PhD, Medical Director, Survivoship Program for Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis

Mary C. Lawlor*, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTF Chair, Professor & Associate Chair of Research, Mrs. T.H. Chan Div. of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California

Kathleen Lyons*, ScD, OTR/L, Scientist, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Kirsten K. Ness, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Epidemiology & Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Robin Newman*, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, Clincial Assistant Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Boston University

Ralph Nitkin, PhD, Deputy Director, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)

Mackenzi Pergolotti*, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University

Mary Radomski*, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Senior Scientific Advisor, Courage Kenny Research Center, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Alexandra (Alix) Sleight, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, Cancer Prevention Fellow, National Cancer Institute

Piyush Srivastava, MD, Medical Oncology, Walnut Creek Medical Center, The Permanente Medical Group

Gerald T. Voelbel, PhD, Director of Rehab. Sciences PhD Program, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University

Rachel K. Walker, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Grant Williams, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology & Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham,

Kerri M. Winters-Stone, PhD, FACSM, Enora E. Thompson Distinguished Professor, Oregon Health & Science University