A New Psychotherapy Intervention for Older Cancer Patients

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Jun 26, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new phone-based therapy called Cancer and Aging: Reflections for Elders (CARE) to see if it can help older cancer patients who are feeling depressed or distressed. The trial will compare CARE to an existing therapy called Social Work and Supportive Counseling (SWSC), which is also done over the phone and has been helpful for many cancer patients. Researchers want to find out which therapy works better for reducing feelings of sadness and stress.

To participate in the trial, you need to be at least 70 years old and have a cancer diagnosis. You should also be currently receiving treatment for your cancer or have received treatment in the last six months. Participants will have five therapy sessions over the phone, and it's important that you are comfortable speaking English. This study is currently looking for volunteers, and if you meet the criteria, you could help improve therapy options for older cancer patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • As per self-report or medical record, ≥ 70 years of age
• • As per self-report or medical record, has a diagnosis of cancer
• • As per self-report or medical record, receiving active treatment (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy, hormone); OR received active treatment in the past 6 months (N/A for training case participants); OR are currently on active surveillance with follow-ups at least approximately every 6 months
• • Received a HADS-D score of ≥ 6 or HADS-A score of ≥ 6 or a score of ≥ 4 on the distress thermometer. (N/A for training case participants)
• • Received a Karnofsky Performance Rating Scale (KPRS) score of ≥ 60 (N/A for training case participants)
• • Received a Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Scale (BOMC) score of ≤ 11 (N/A for training case participants)
• • Fluent in English, as per self-reported fluency of "well" or "very well"\*
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • As per self-report, currently taking antidepressant medication for \< 3 months
• • As per self-report, currently receiving hospice care
• • In the judgment of the consenting professional is unable to provide informed consent and complete study sessions and assessment
• • As per self-report or as documented in the medical record, current untreated (e.g., no medication, no therapy) major psychotic disorder (schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Patients diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder will be reviewed by the study PI to determine eligibility prior to consent.
• * Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by research staff to verify English fluency necessary for participation in the study:
• • 1. How well do you speak English? (must respond "Well" or "Very well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused)
• • 2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English)