DESCANSO/REST mental health program for Spanish-speaking Latino adults with cancer experiencing depression, insomnia, and fatigue
Official title: DESCANSO/REST (Depresión/Depressed Mood, Cansancio/Fatigue, and Sueño/Sleep): A Trial Assessing Feasibility and Acceptability of an Intervention for Depressed Mood, Insomnia, and Fatigue Symptoms in Latino Cancer Patients
Run by Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc. · NCT07225088 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether a telehealth-delivered DESCANSO/REST intervention can help Spanish-speaking Latino adults with stage I–III solid tumors who are receiving systemic cancer treatment feel less depressed, sleep better, and have less fatigue.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 21 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 125 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 8 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 7 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2030 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07225088 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Spanish-speaking Latino adults with pathologically confirmed stage I–III solid tumors who are currently receiving systemic cancer therapy and screen positive for depression, insomnia, or fatigue are the ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with metastatic (stage IV) disease, those not receiving systemic therapy, non–Spanish speakers, or patients with psychiatric conditions that preclude participation may not receive benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The project tests a culturally tailored mental health intervention called DESCANSO (REST in English) that targets depressed mood, fatigue, and sleep problems in Spanish-speaking Latino adults with pathologically confirmed stage I–III solid tumors who are receiving systemic therapy. Eligibility is determined by an initial electronic medical record review followed by a self-report screener, and the intervention can be delivered via telehealth by experienced, Spanish-reading psychosocial providers. Participating mental health providers must treat Latino cancer patients, have at least three years of oncology psychosocial experience, and be able to read Spanish. Study activities are coordinated through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with limited protocol activities at three New Jersey locations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, DESCANSO could provide accessible Spanish-language telehealth mental health care that reduces depression, improves sleep, and lessens fatigue for Latino cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Culturally adapted, Spanish-language psychosocial and telehealth interventions have shown promise for reducing distress and improving sleep in cancer populations, though combined programs specifically addressing depression, insomnia, and fatigue together are less commonly tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Provider Eligibility Criteria: Participant eligibility will be determined by a self-report screener. Inclusion Criteria Self-Report Criteria * Mental health provider * Treats Latino cancer patients and/or survivors * Has at least 3 years of clinical experience providing psychosocial services to cancer patients and/or survivors * Able to read Spanish determined by the question: "Can you read in Spanish? Yes/No" Patient Eligibility Criteria: A patient cannot be considered eligible for this study unless ALL of the following conditions are met. Participant eligibility will be determined by an initial EMR review followed by a self-report screener. Inclusion Criteria EMR Criteria * Documentation of Disease o Pathologically confirmed solid tumor cancer (either most recent or new diagnosis) * Definition of Disease \[or Measurable Disease\] o Diagnosed with stages I, II, or III * Prior Treatment * Currently undergoing systemic therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy) or within the first year following completion of systemic therapy Self-Report Criteria * Age ≥ 21 years * Lives in mainland U.S. or Puerto Rico * Identifies as Latino/a or Hispanic * Reports Spanish as their preferred language * Speaks Spanish "Very well" or "Well" as determined by the question: "How well do you speak Spanish?" * Presence of fatigue and disturbed sleep determined by a score of ≥ 3 on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory Exclusion Criteria EMR Criteria o In the judgment of the treating physician, protocol investigators, and/or study staff, presence of cognitive impairment (e.g., delirium or dementia) sufficient to preclude meaningful informed consent and/or study participation Self-Report Criteria * History of comorbidities within the last 12 months associated with fatigue and poor sleep, including hypothyroidism or abnormal thyroid function, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neuromuscular disease, alcohol or drug abuse * Pregnant or lactating, women only * Presence of suicidal risk determined by any affirmative response on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
Where it's running
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)
Middletown, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
Montvale, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk-Commack (Limited protocol activity)
Commack, New York, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)
Harrison, New York, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Show 2 more locations
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activites)
Rockville Centre, New York, United States Recruiting -
Ponce Medical Schol Foumdation
Ponce, Pr, Puerto Rico Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Rosario Costas-Muniz, PhD — Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc.
- Study coordinator: Rosario Costas-Muniz, PhD
- Email: rcostas@psm.edu
- Phone: 787-840-2575
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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.