A New Psychotherapy Intervention for Older Cancer Patients

Description

This study is being done to see if a new psychotherapy intervention called Cancer and Aging: Reflections for Elders (CARE) can effectively treat depression and distress in older cancer patients. CARE is a 5-session intervention that takes place over the phone. This study will compare CARE with the Social Work and Supportive Counseling (SWSC) intervention, which also takes place over the phone. SWSC is a standard psychotherapeutic intervention that has been shown to be a supportive and effective form of treatment for distress for patients with cancer. The researchers will look at which intervention is more effective in treating depression and distress in participants.

Conditions

Cancer

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

This study is being done to see if a new psychotherapy intervention called Cancer and Aging: Reflections for Elders (CARE) can effectively treat depression and distress in older cancer patients. CARE is a 5-session intervention that takes place over the phone. This study will compare CARE with the Social Work and Supportive Counseling (SWSC) intervention, which also takes place over the phone. SWSC is a standard psychotherapeutic intervention that has been shown to be a supportive and effective form of treatment for distress for patients with cancer. The researchers will look at which intervention is more effective in treating depression and distress in participants.

Cancer and Aging Reflections for Elders (CARE): A Geriatric-Specific Psychotherapy for Older Adults With Cancer

A New Psychotherapy Intervention for Older Cancer Patients

Condition
Cancer
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New York

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States, 10065

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * As per self-report or medical record, ≥ 70 years of age
  • * As per self-report or medical record, has a diagnosis of cancer
  • * As per self-report or medical record, receiving active treatment (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy, hormone); OR received active treatment in the past 6 months (N/A for training case participants); OR are currently on active surveillance with follow-ups at least approximately every 6 months
  • * Received a HADS-D score of ≥ 6 or HADS-A score of ≥ 6 or a score of ≥ 4 on the distress thermometer. (N/A for training case participants)
  • * Received a Karnofsky Performance Rating Scale (KPRS) score of ≥ 60 (N/A for training case participants)
  • * Received a Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Scale (BOMC) score of ≤ 11 (N/A for training case participants)
  • * Fluent in English, as per self-reported fluency of "well" or "very well"\*
  • * As per self-report, currently taking antidepressant medication for \< 3 months
  • * As per self-report, currently receiving hospice care
  • * In the judgment of the consenting professional is unable to provide informed consent and complete study sessions and assessment
  • * As per self-report or as documented in the medical record, current untreated (e.g., no medication, no therapy) major psychotic disorder (schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Patients diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder will be reviewed by the study PI to determine eligibility prior to consent.
  • * Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by research staff to verify English fluency necessary for participation in the study:
  • 1. How well do you speak English? (must respond "Well" or "Very well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused)
  • 2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English)

Ages Eligible for Study

70 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,

Christian Nelson, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Study Record Dates

2025-06