Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program for people with breast cancer
Official title: Investigation of the Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention on Psychological Distress and Reintegration Into Normal Life in Oncology Patients
Run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · NCT06457178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will see if a five-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program helps adults with stage 1–3 breast cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy reduce psychological distress and improve reintegration into normal life compared with a psychoeducation program or routine care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2025 |
| Study ends | January 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 3, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06457178 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with stage 1–3 breast cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy who can read and write, have internet access and computer skills for online group sessions, and show low-to-moderate scores on a brief psychological resilience scale are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with serious psychiatric or cognitive impairments, physical limitations that prevent participation, those currently in psychotherapy/psychoeducation groups, without internet/computer access, or with advanced (stage 4) disease are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults with stage 1–3 breast cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy are randomized into three groups: a five-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention, a five-session psychoeducation program, or routine care with no specific intervention. All participants complete questionnaires before and after the intervention period to measure psychological distress, resilience, and reintegration into normal life. The ACT and psychoeducation sessions are delivered in online group format, requiring internet access and basic computer skills. Researchers will compare changes across the three groups to see whether ACT produces larger improvements than psychoeducation or routine care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the ACT intervention could reduce psychological distress and help patients reintegrate into daily life more effectively than psychoeducation or routine care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical work has shown that group-based ACT and other psychotherapy approaches can reduce distress and improve quality of life for some cancer patients, though results vary by study and population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older, * Being able to read and write, * Receiving oncologic treatment, * Being diagnosed with breast cancer, * To know about Medical Diagnosis, * Being in stage 1, 2 or 3 of the disease, * Receiving outpatient chemotherapy treatment only, * Internet access and computer skills to participate in online group interviews, * Low to moderate scores on the brief psychological resilience scale, Exclusion Criteria: * Having serious psychiatric or cognitive impairments that limit adherence to group sessions, * Having a physical disability that may make it difficult to participate in group sessions, * Failure to attend sessions regularly and absenteeism, * Currently being in a psychoeducation/psychotherapy group
Where it's running
-
Acibadem Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dilara Sert Kasım, M.Sc. — Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Study coordinator: Dilara Sert Kasım, M.Sc.
- Email: dilara.sert10@ogr.iuc.edu.tr
- Phone: (+90) 541 267 95 25
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.