Virtual solution-focused brief therapy for emotional distress in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
Official title: SFBT for AYA Cancer Survivors' Psychological Distress: Evaluating Solution-Focused Brief Therapy as a Strength-Based Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Psychological Distress in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
Run by University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center · NCT06941324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether short, virtual solution-focused therapy helps adolescents and young adults (ages 15–39) who are cancer survivors reduce anxiety and depression compared with enhanced usual care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 15 Years to 39 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 23, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | July 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06941324 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adolescents and young adults aged 15–39 with a cancer diagnosis who are within six weeks of diagnosis up to five years post-treatment, fluent in English, and have elevated psychological distress (BSI-18 t-score ≥ 57).
✕Probably not a fit
Patients receiving end-of-life care, more than five years post-treatment, with major sensory or developmental impairments, active psychosis or suicide risk, or who begin new psychotherapy during the study are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional program delivers a brief, hope-focused psychotherapy (SFBT-C) virtually and compares it to enhanced treatment-as-usual for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Eligible participants are 15–39 years old, within six weeks of diagnosis through five years post-treatment, and have elevated psychological distress measured by the BSI-18. Sessions are delivered remotely in English and focus on solution-focused techniques tailored to AYA cancer-related psychosocial needs. Psychological distress and related quality-of-life measures are collected to compare the impact of SFBT-C versus the enhanced usual-care approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could offer a short, scalable virtual therapy that reduces anxiety and depression and improves quality of life for AYA cancer survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Solution-focused brief therapy has shown benefits for reducing distress in youth and some medical populations, but virtual delivery specifically for AYA cancer survivors is relatively untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 15 - 39 years old * Diagnosed with cancer * Receiving active cancer care (6 weeks post initial diagnosis to control for emotional responses to normative stressors) or within 5 years of post-treatment survivorship * Experiencing psychological distress (i.e., a t-score \>= 57 on the Brief Symptom Inventory - 18 items \[BSI-18\]) * Fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: * End-of-life care * \> 5 years into the post-treatment survivorship * Major physical challenges (e.g., hearing loss, developmental delay) * Acute mental health conditions (e.g., active psychosis, suicide risk) * Receiving or newly initiated psychotherapy for psychological distress during the study period
Where it's running
-
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sunnye Mayes — University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Cancer AnswerLine
- Email: CancerAnswerLine@med.umich.edu
- Phone: 1-800-865-1125
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
See if virtual informed consent methods help people decide to join cancer research
This trial tests whether virtual human communicators and different consent messages can influence cancer patients’ understanding and willingness to participate in research.
-
AI-powered supportive care chatbot for young adult cancer survivors
A chatbot driven by artificial intelligence is tested to help young adult cancer survivors manage symptoms and care needs after treatment.
-
Telehealth pharmacist-led opioid education for cancer patients
This pilot tests a telehealth group education session led by a palliative care pharmacist to help adults with cancer use opioids more safely and effectively.
-
Mindfulness program to help with symptoms in chronic graft-versus-host disease
A mindfulness-based program is being tested to see if it can reduce patient-reported symptoms for adults with chronic graft-versus-host disease after a stem cell transplant.
-
Non-invasive brain stimulation to help chemotherapy-induced nerve problems in cancer survivors
This trial tests whether a gentle brain stimulation method (tDCS) can help reduce numbness, tingling, and pain from CIPN in cancer survivors who are not currently in treatment.
-
Ambient sensor rooms to spot early problems in hospitalized cancer patients
This test will try whether special hospital rooms with cameras, microphones, and temperature sensors can help staff spot early delirium, falls, sleep problems, or mood changes in adults hospitalized with cancer.
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.