Brief Behavioral Activation for cancer survivors 65+

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study explores a brief behavioral activation approach delivered remotely to older adult cancer survivors who speak English or Spanish. Participants complete assessments and receive sessions by telephone or videoconference to set goals and engage in enjoyable activities, aiming to improve mood and quality of life. Eligibility includes age 65+, a history of cancer, being off treatment or 6+ months post-treatment, and elevated depressive symptoms, with language and technology access to participate remotely. Exclusion applies to individuals with significant suicidality needing higher levels of care. The study is led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with NIH collaboration and is conducted at MSK locations in New Jersey with limited protocol activities.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* As per self-report or medical record, ≥65 years old
* As per self-report or medical record, has a history of cancer
* As per medical record and/or self-report:

  * currently with no evidence of disease (NED) AND/OR
  * 6 months or more post-treatment
* Fluent in English or Spanish, as per self-reported fluency of "well" or "very well"\*
* As per self-report, able to communicate over video-conference and/or phone for sessions
* Elevated score on the PHQ-9: ≥8 (N/A for Training Case participants)
* Received a Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Scale (BOMC) score of ≤ 11 (N/A for Training Case participants)

Exclusion Criteria:

* As per PI determination, requires a higher level of care for current passive or active suicidal ideation than current protocol is able to provide. If a participant receives a score of \> 0 on item 9 of the PHQ-9, they will be referred to study PI for further evaluation using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR) (MSK Standard) to determine level of risk;. Only those with active suicidal ideation will be excluded and referred to a higher level of care.
* As per self-report or as documented in the medical record, current untreated (e.g., no medication, no therapy) major psychotic disorder (schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Patients diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder will be reviewed by the study PI to determine eligibility prior to consent.
* \[MSK patients only\] As per medical record, patient has impaired decision-making capacity
* Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by research staff to verify English or Spanish fluency necessary for participation in the study:

  1. How well do you speak English/ Spanish? (must respond "Well" or "Very well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused)
  2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English or Spanish)

Where it's running

• Memorial Sloan Kettering at Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)
  Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States Recruiting
• Memorial Sloan Kettering at Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)
  Middletown, New Jersey, United States Recruiting
• Memorial Sloan Kettering at Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
  Montvale, New Jersey, United States Recruiting
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk- Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)
  Commack, New York, United States Recruiting
• Memorial Sloan Kettering at Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)
  Harrison, New York, United States Recruiting
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Rebbeca Saracino, PhD — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Rebecca Saracino, PhD
• Email: jamesr@mskcc.org
• Phone: 646-888-0263

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.