LiveWell — DBT skills training for people living with metastatic lung cancer
Official title: LiveWell: An Adapted Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Training Protocol for Patients Living with Metastatic Lung Cancer
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11386709 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This is an eight-session, one-on-one online program that teaches Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to help people living with metastatic lung cancer handle distress, symptoms, and relationships.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $245,490 |
| NIH project number | 5R00CA286959-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386709 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with metastatic lung cancer who are experiencing emotional distress or high symptom burden and can attend videoconference sessions are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without metastatic lung cancer, those who are medically unstable or have severe cognitive impairment, or those without internet access for video visits may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
You'll take part in eight one-on-one sessions delivered by videoconference that teach practical DBT skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The program was adapted to fit the needs of people living with metastatic lung cancer by changing the dose, delivery, and examples used. The team uses participant feedback from interviews to refine the program before piloting it more broadly. Sessions are led by trained clinicians and focus on both accepting difficult realities and changing what is within your control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, LiveWell could help people with metastatic lung cancer feel less anxious and depressed, better manage symptoms, and improve overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: DBT skills training has proven helpful for mood and anxiety disorders and psychosocial programs have helped cancer patients, but applying DBT specifically to metastatic lung cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hyland, Kelly Alexandra — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Hyland, Kelly Alexandra
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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.