Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers of Cancer Patients
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy to Meet Palliative Care Needs of Cancer Caregivers
NA · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT06307535
This study is testing if a special type of therapy called Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy can help caregivers of cancer patients feel less stressed and find more meaning in their lives compared to regular support therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (other) |
| Locations | 8 sites (Miami, Florida and 7 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06307535 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are caregivers aged 18 or older who are currently caring for patients with advanced solid tumor cancer and experiencing distress related to their caregiving role.
Not a fit: Patients who are not currently caregivers or those engaged in regular individual psychotherapy may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce caregiver burden and improve the mental well-being of caregivers for cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with psychotherapy approaches for caregivers, indicating potential success for this intervention.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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, 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 this trial is running
Miami, Florida and 7 other locations
- University of Miami (Data Collection AND Data Analysis) — Miami, Florida, United States (NOT_YET_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)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activites) — Rockville Centre, 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Caregiver Burden, Caregiver Burnout, Caregiver Stress Syndrome, Caregiver, Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy, 23-376