Coping Together: Couple-based Interventions for Cancer

Launched by DUKE UNIVERSITY · Oct 15, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Coping Together" clinical trial is studying a program called Couple Communication Skills Training (CCST) designed to help couples who are dealing with advanced cancer. In this trial, 250 couples will be randomly assigned to either receive the CCST program or participate in a control group that gets general health information. The goal is to see how the CCST affects both the patients and their partners in terms of their relationship and emotional well-being.

To be eligible for this trial, couples must be married or in a committed relationship, and the patient must have a diagnosis of specific types of advanced cancer. Both partners should be able to read and speak English, and they should have some concerns about communication in their relationship. Participants can expect to learn new skills to improve their communication and coping strategies together. It's important to note that the trial excludes patients who have severe cognitive issues, a very limited life expectancy, or physical impairments that prevent them from using technology for the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Married or in a committed intimate relationship
• • 2. Diagnosis of one the following advanced cancers: Stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer or extensive stage small cell lung cancer, Stage III pancreatic cancer or Stage IV GI cancer, Stage IV GU cancer, Stage IV breast cancer and GYN cancer Stage III-IV ovarian, IV uterine, IV cervical.
• • 3. Both members of the couple must speak and read English.
• • 4. Patient and/or partner scores \>=1.0 on the Holding Back screen.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patient lacks capacity for interview (documented diagnosis of active psychosis or dementia) or is unable to provide informed consent as assessed by research staff.
• • 2. Patient has a life expectancy \< 6 months as estimated by his/her treating oncologist.
• • 3. Patient or partner is physically impaired in such a way that precludes the use of a computer or videoconferencing.
• • 4. Patient or partner is too sick to participate, as judged by the oncologist or research staff.