Virtual solution-focused brief therapy for emotional distress in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
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
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 15 Years to 39 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT06941324 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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).
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anao Zhang — University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Cancer AnswerLine
- Email: CancerAnswerLine@med.umich.edu
- Phone: 1-800-865-1125
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.