Self-System Therapy to help older adults with advanced cancer feel less distressed and live better, delivered by telehealth
Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-System Therapy to Reduce Distress, Improve Emotion Regulation and Enhance Quality of Life in Older Adults with Advanced Cancer: A Telehealth Delivered Intervention
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11365683 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A telehealth program tests a therapy designed to help adults 60 and older living with advanced cancer feel less distress and improve emotion regulation and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $670,194 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA303881-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365683 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 60 and older with advanced cancer who can participate in telehealth sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to or preference for telehealth, or those with severe cognitive impairment may derive limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project targets older adults with advanced cancer who often experience high psychological distress and challenges in emotion regulation. It tests a self-system therapy approach delivered via telehealth to be practical for patients who may have limited mobility or frequent medical appointments. The study will enroll participants, deliver SST-AC sessions remotely, and measure changes in distress, emotion regulation, and quality of life over time. If successful, the intervention could be adapted for broader use in geriatric oncology settings to support emotional well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience reduced distress and better emotional regulation, leading to improved quality of life during cancer care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous psychosocial interventions in cancer show promise, but this study focuses on a tailored therapy for older adults, which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramos, Katherine — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ramos, Katherine
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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.