Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers of Cancer Patients

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 study evaluates the effectiveness of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for caregivers of patients with Stage III or IV solid tumor cancer. Participants will complete questionnaires assessing their sense of meaning, spiritual well-being, and levels of distress before and after undergoing either Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy or standard Supportive Psychotherapy. The study aims to determine the impact of these interventions on caregiver burden and stress over a period of time. Participants will be monitored through follow-up questionnaires at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months post-treatment.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 or over;
* As per self-report, a current caregiver to a patient with Stage III or IV solid tumor cancer currently receiving medical care of any kind (e.g., curative, palliative);
* Experiences distress as evidenced by a score of 4 or greater on the Distress Thermometer (DT) and an indication that this distress is associated with caregiving;
* As per self-report, can read and understand English;
* As per self-report, residing in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Florida, or have the ability to complete sessions while complying with current telehealth regulations.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participant does not have a reasonable understanding of the study activities by the judgment of the consenting professional;
* Engagement in regular individual psychotherapeutic support that the participant is unable or unwilling to put on hold for the course of treatment.

Where it's running

• University of Miami (Data Collection AND Data Analysis)
  Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting
• Memorial Sloan Kettering 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 (Consent only)
  Harrison, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Allison Applebaum, PhD, FAPOS — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Study coordinator: Allison Applebaum, PhD, FAPOS
• Email: allison.applebaum@mssm.edu
• Phone: 212-241-8561

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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.