Background: This study examined the usability and potential benefits of Social Participation and Navigation (SPAN), a virtual coaching goal planning intervention, which was modified for adolescent and young adult (AYA) brain tumor survivors who often experience social participation challenges.
Methods: Four AYA brain tumor survivors participated in a brief trial of the modified SPAN consisting of four weekly coaching sessions with trained supervised occupational therapy graduate students and use of a website and web application to assist with goal planning and achievement. The participants rated their social participation and SPAN-specific skills pre/post program. The participants and parents completed 1-week and 1-month usability surveys post program. Effect sizes were computed to examine pre/post score changes. Descriptive statistics and content analyses were used to examine quantitative and qualitative usability data.
Results: SPAN was well-received by the AYAs, parents, and coaches with high satisfaction ratings for coaching. All participants achieved at least one goal. The participants had increased post-intervention scores in social participation (overall, school, community) and SPAN skills (goal planning, self-regulation, reciprocal communication). Suggestions for improvement primarily focused on the SPAN web application.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated the usability and potential benefits of SPAN for AYA brain tumor survivors and have informed a larger implementation trial
