Adapting and Testing a Novel Self-Compassion Intervention to Reduce Lung Cancer Stigma

Launched by LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY · Dec 20, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new program called Mindful Self-Compassion for Lung Cancer (MSC-LC) to help adults with lung cancer who feel stigmatized because of their diagnosis. The goal is to see if this 10-week, online group program, which teaches mindfulness and self-compassion skills, can reduce feelings of stigma and increase self-compassion compared to a control group that will receive helpful mental health resources but not the intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the MSC-LC program or the waitlist control group.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be at least 18 years old, have a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer, and report feeling stigma related to their condition. They should also be comfortable reading and responding to questions in English. Participants can expect to engage in weekly sessions that focus on developing positive coping skills, and their experiences will be collected to understand the program's impact better. This trial is currently looking for volunteers to join, and it aims to provide valuable insights into how support can help those dealing with lung cancer stigma.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Is at least 18 years of age as per self report;
• • Has a confirmed lung cancer diagnosis, as per self-report and confirmed by clinician judgment or medical record note;
• • Endorses elevated levels of lung cancer stigma (scores \>37.5 on the Lung Cancer Stigma Inventory)
• • Able to read and respond to questions in English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to understand study procedures or informed consent process, or significant personality dysfunction likely to interfere with study participation, as per study clinician's judgment
• • Completed a course of Mindful Self-Compassion or an equivalent meditation training in the last year
• • Use of antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, or mood stabilizing medication(s) for which the dose has been initiated or changed within the 8 weeks prior to study entry