A therapy to help patients with brain tumors cope with distress and improve their coping skills
Official title: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Psychosocial Intervention to Alleviate Distress and Promote Adaptive Coping Skills in Patients with Malignant Primary Central Nervous System Tumors
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10806473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a supportive program to help people with brain tumors manage their feelings and improve their quality of life, and it’s designed just for them to tackle the tough emotions and loneliness that can come with their diagnosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $293,053 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA279644-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10806473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with malignant primary central nervous system tumors who are experiencing distress related to their condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-malignant brain tumors or those who do not experience significant distress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a psychosocial intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy specifically for patients with malignant primary central nervous system tumors. It aims to address the unique emotional and psychological challenges these patients face due to their condition, including high levels of distress and social isolation. The approach involves refining the intervention through stakeholder interviews and a pilot study, followed by a randomized controlled trial to assess its feasibility and effectiveness in enhancing coping skills and overall quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the emotional well-being and coping abilities of patients with malignant CNS tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that psychosocial interventions can be effective in improving coping skills and quality of life for cancer patients, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forst, Deborah a — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Forst, Deborah a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.