A Study of an Anxiety Intervention for Latino/Latina/Hispanic Older Adults With Cancer and Their Caregivers

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Mar 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a special program designed to help reduce anxiety in older Latino adults who have cancer, as well as their caregivers. The goal is to see if this anxiety treatment is practical and effective for those who might be struggling with anxiety during their cancer journey. To participate, older adults need to be at least 65 years old, currently receiving cancer treatment or have finished treatment within the last 18 months, and identify as Latino or Hispanic. They also need to have a caregiver who is 40 or older and willing to take part in the study.

If you or someone you know might be eligible, participants can expect to join a supportive program that aims to help manage anxiety. It’s important to note that participants must be fluent in English or Spanish and willing to share their experiences. However, individuals currently undergoing psychotherapy or certain medications, or those severely impaired, may not be eligible. This study is actively recruiting participants, and your involvement could help improve support for older adults facing cancer and their caregivers.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Older Adults with Cancer (OAC)
• • As per medical record or self-report, is currently age 65 years or older
• • As per medical record or self-report, currently receiving active cancer treatment OR is within eighteen months of completing active treatment which includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
• • As per self-report, identifies as Latino and/or Hispanic Ethnicity
• • Per self-report, has a primary informal caregiver (as defined by an unpaid individual who provides the patient with emotional, physical, and/or practical support) age 40 or older who is willing and able to participate in the study ; if a patient does not have a primary informal caregiver or if the caregiver does not or cannot participate, but meets all other inclusion criteria they will be allowed to enroll in the study
• • Scores ≥6 on the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
• * Per self-report, fluent in English and/or Spanish\*\* \*\* Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) to verify language fluency necessary for participation in the study:
• • 1. How well do you speak English and/or Spanish? (must respond "very well" or "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 and/or Spanish)
• • Caregiver
• • Per OAC report, is primary informal caregiver (as defined by an unpaid individual who provides the patient with emotional, physical, and/or practical support) for the eligible OAC patient
• • As per self-report, is age 40 years or older
• * Per self-report, fluent in English and/or Spanish\*\* \*\* Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) to verify language fluency necessary for participation in the study:
• • 1. How well do you speak English and/or Spanish? (must respond "very well" or "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 and/or Spanish)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • OAC
• • As per medical record or self-report, currently receiving psychotherapy
• • As per medical record or self-report, taking psychotropic medications for \< 8 weeks prior to MAC Session 1 and/or anticipates changing their medication during the study
• • As per medical record or self-report, currently being treated for schizophrenia, substance use or dependence, and/or bi-polar disorder
• • Severely cognitively impaired as demonstrated by Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration score ≥ 9
• • Per research staff judgment and/or self-report, too ill or weak to complete study procedures
• • Per medical record or self-report, receiving hospice care at the time of enrollment
• • Caregiver
• • As per self-report, currently receiving psychotherapy
• • As per self-report, taking psychotropic medications for \< 8 weeks prior to MAC Session 1 and/or anticipates changing their medication during the study
• • As per self-report, currently being treated for schizophrenia, substance use or dependence, and/or bi-polar disorder
• • Severely cognitively impaired as demonstrated by Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration score ≥ 11
• • Per research staff judgment and/or self-report, too ill or weak to complete study procedures