A Novel Intervention for Patients With Cancer (ACTION)

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Status

Enrolling

Conditions

Substance Use

Psychological

Cancer

Treatments

Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT05643027

1K08CA259538-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

21-587

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research study is being done to develop an intervention for psychological symptoms that patients diagnosed with cancer may experience. Psychological symptoms may include thoughts, feelings, emotions, and memories

The names of the study intervention and research activities involved in this study are/is:

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Cancer (involving 6 sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist)
Questionnaires
Post-study interview

Consistent with the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development, the investigators have adapted an existing, empirically-validated intervention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to address substance use disorder risk during cancer care. The core components of ACT are particularly well-suited to address the psychological processes underlying opioid misuse in individuals treated for cancer pain. The overarching aim is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by conducting a randomized pilot trial of the revised intervention ("ACTION") for cancer patients on opioid therapy, and at risk for SUD.

Full description

This research study is a Feasibility Study, which is the first-time investigators are examining this psychological intervention in patients with cancer who are prescribed opioids and are receiving palliative care. This study is being conducted to develop a psychological intervention designed specifically for individuals with cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine how practical this intervention is, to determine patient satisfaction, and test the study procedures. The aims are to:

determine whether this intervention will be appropriate for further testing;
identify which parts of the protocol and procedures need to be modified; and
assess patients' reactions to this intervention.

This research study involves a psychological intervention for thoughts, feelings, emotions, and memories that individuals diagnosed with cancer may have.

The names of the study intervention and research activities involved in this study are/is:

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Cancer (involving 6 sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist)
Questionnaires
Post-study interview

The research study procedures include: screening for eligibility and study treatment including evaluations, 6 visits, and a post-study interview.

Participants will be on this research study for up to 2 months.

It is expected that about 10 people will take part in this research study

Enrollment

40 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 99 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

at least 18 years old
have an estimated survival time of at least 6 months (as estimated by palliative care provider)
score at least 4 on the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)
have been diagnosed with any cancer, including hematologic malignancies
performance status criterion of 0, 1, or 2 [ with 0 indicating that the patient is asymptomatic, 1 that the patient is symptomatic but fully ambulatory, and 2 that the patient is symptomatic and in bed <50% of the day]

Exclusion criteria

Patients with a score at least 3 to ensure that all enrolled patients are able to participate in the intervention, complete assessments, ensure that no patients who are too sick to participate are enrolled; this will enhance the rigor of the study)
currently be on opioid therapy
not meet criteria for current substance use disorder
assessed by the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of mental disorders; DSM-5 or be receiving substance use disorder treatment; and speak and comprehend English sufficiently to be able to participate in psychotherapy.