Helping patients with brain and spinal cord tumors manage distress
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
This project aims to help people with malignant brain and spinal cord tumors cope with their condition and improve their well-being using a special type of therapy.
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 ID | NIH-11167782 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Patients with malignant brain and spinal cord tumors often face significant challenges, including difficult symptoms and a poor outlook. These unique stressors can lead to distress and a tendency to avoid difficult feelings, which can worsen mood and quality of life. This project plans to develop and test a supportive therapy, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, specifically designed for these patients. The therapy will help them develop better coping skills and connect with their personal values, even when facing difficult circumstances. The goal is to reduce distress and improve overall quality of life for those living with these tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients diagnosed with malignant primary central nervous system tumors who are experiencing distress and seeking new coping strategies.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing distress or are not open to a therapy focused on acceptance and commitment may not find this approach beneficial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide patients with malignant brain and spinal cord tumors new ways to manage their emotional distress and improve their daily lives.
How similar studies have performed: This project is refining and pilot testing a new, population-specific psychosocial intervention, suggesting it's a novel application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for this specific patient group.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- 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 below.