Design of the comprehensive outcomes for after Cancer Health (COACH) trial: A randomized, wait-list control digital health coaching intervention for cancer survivors
In brief
Cancer coaching trial will test six months of remote support for survivors
The COACH trial is enrolling up to 625 people within a year of completing primary cancer treatment at eight US sites. It will test whether six months of calls and digital outreach from health coaches is feasible and acceptable, and whether it improves survivors' confidence in managing their health. Results are not yet available, so the intervention's effectiveness and scalability remain unknown.
- Journal
- Contemporary clinical trials (Q1)
- Published
- 28 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Kristen Fessele, Jennifer Loftis, Sarah Alzahid, Betty Arceneaux, Jerry Armah, Elizabeth Arthur, et al.
- PMID
- 42805452
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.cct.2026.108474
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Microbiology (medical) (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026): High-quality evidence in a top journal
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are an estimated 18.6 million cancer survivors representing approximately 5.4% of the United States (U.S.) population, projected to exceed 26 million by 2040. Due to advances in therapy, individuals with cancer are experiencing increased overall survival that is often accompanied by maintenance therapy and the management of treatment-related sequelae that can diminish overall quality-of-life (QOL) and well-being. An interprofessional team in partnership with Pack Health (now operating under Quest Diagnostics), designed a 6-month digital health coaching (DHC) intervention to improve health outcomes for cancer survivors, defined in this study as within one year of completion of primary therapy, including those with metastatic disease. METHODS: Up to 625 survivors with diverse tumor types across eight U.S. sites are enrolling in a randomized wait-list control trial. The DHC intervention combines 1:1 calls with digital outreach delivered by certified health coaches. Primary aims are to assess feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and its effect on health self-efficacy. Secondary and exploratory aims assess associations among clinical, patient-reported, wearable, and microbiome data. Comorbidities, psychosocial status, and lifestyle behaviors are included to identify interindividual variability in survivors' experiences and needs. CONCLUSION: The development and implementation of this multi-site DHC intervention demonstrates leveraging an academic-industry partnership to deliver continued supportive care to cancer survivors. Outcomes will evaluate the feasibility of the DHC model to extend supportive care beyond clinical settings and address survivors' QOL and well-being. The COACH intervention is a potentially scalable model designed to meet the holistic needs of survivors.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.