Desensitizing Distressing Recollections in Cancer Patients (NET)

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cancer

Treatments: Behavioral: NET Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02760524

09D.182

Details and patient eligibility

About

The major goal of this study is to determine whether Neuro-Emotional Technique is a viable treatment option for decreasing distress in cancer patients. The potential advantages of NET are: 1) it is designed specifically to address distressing stimuli and unresolved emotional memories; 2) it is a brief, time-limited intervention; and 3) its multi-modal design may appeal to and benefit a broader range of patients than a single mode intervention

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years of age
• Distressing cancer-related recollection that has persisted for at least six months
• Distressing cancer-related recollection that causes physiological reactivity (i.e., increased heart rate and/or increased skin conductance level - SCL), as described in section 4.2.3.
• Received a cancer diagnosis at least 6 months prior to being contacted for participation in this study

Exclusion criteria

• Any current Major Mental Disorder, as assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Disorders (SCID - Clinical Version, First et al, 1997)
• History of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Current active mood primary disorder prior to the cancer diagnosis (as per PI or designate)
• History or current diagnosis of substance or alcohol abuse or dependence (as per PI or designate)
• Use of psychotropic medications within the past month or current use of medications that would interfere with autonomic nervous system measures (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, major tranquilizers).
• Use of some psychotropic medications are allowed such as SSRIs and certain sleep aids, but dosages must be stable from six weeks prior to enrollment and throughout study period
• Any psychological or musculoskeletal problems that would interfere with psychophysiological assessments and treatment
• Currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation
• Are in the terminal stages of illness

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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44 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will receive NET intervention treatment immediately

Treatment:

Behavioral: NET Intervention

Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

Subjects will receive NET intervention treatment and serve as a wait-list control

Treatment:

Behavioral: NET Intervention