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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) for people with advanced cancer

Official title: Development and Pilot Trial of Focused ACT (FACT) for Patients With Advanced Cancer

Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT07105033 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program will try a short therapy called Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) to see if it reduces worries about dying in people with advanced cancer.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment70 (estimated)
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 21, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2029
Registry record updatedSeptember 25, 2026
Trial IDNCT07105033 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with advanced solid tumor or hematologic cancer who have progressed after at least one line of palliative systemic therapy, report moderate death anxiety (DADDS ≥25), are followed by the Supportive Care Outpatient Service, speak English, can consent, and have access to Zoom-capable technology.

Probably not a fit

Patients with poor functional status (ECOG ≥3), active suicidal ideation or need for a higher level of care, those already in regular psychotherapy, patients with documented out-of-hospital DNR orders, or those without access to required technology are unlikely to benefit from this program.

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

What this trial studies

This pilot interventional program delivers a brief, manualized Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) intervention to patients with advanced cancer to target death-related anxiety. Phase 1 is a single-arm pilot estimating feasibility and acceptability using metrics such as intervention fidelity, session attendance, retention, and participant satisfaction; Phase 2 moves toward a pilot randomized comparison including enhanced usual care. Outcomes are measured with validated self-report scales (DADDS for death anxiety, CFQ for cognitive fusion, GAD-7, CES-D, QUAL-E, and others) at baseline, post-treatment, and six-week follow-up. Sessions are delivered in person or via an institution-approved Zoom platform and include structured assessments and coping skills practice.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, FACT could reduce death-related anxiety and improve coping and quality of life for people with advanced cancer.

How similar studies have gone: ACT-based therapies have shown benefits for distress and coping in cancer populations, but this focused FACT program specifically targeting death anxiety is relatively novel and has limited prior trial data.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult cancer patients diagnosed with advanced cancer (solid tumor and hematologic)
* Progressed past at least one line of palliative systemic cancer therapy
* Patient followed by Supportive Care Outpatient Service
* English speaking
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Willing to participate in a stress and coping program
* Willing to identify 1-2 important areas of life they might like to discuss with a counselor
* Moderate levels of death anxiety on DADDS (\>=25, on 0-75 scale)
* Access to technology to support institutionally approved video-conferencing platform of Zoom

Exclusion Criteria:

* ECOG performance status \>=3 "capable of only limited selfcare; confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours"
* Currently participating in regular psychotherapy (patient defined)
* Documented out of hospital DNR (do not resuscitate) orders
* Presence of active suicidal ideation or need for a higher level of care (as determined by Supportive Care physician or licensed mental health clinician).

Where it's running

  • The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.