NCT06042400

Trial of Written Exposure for Metastatic Cancer Patients (EASE)

Pilot Trial of Written Exposure Intervention for Metastatic Cancer Patients: The EASE Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Boulder · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

In the face of imminent loss, many adults with metastatic cancer report a range of mental health challenges, including cancer-related trauma symptoms, fear of cancer progression and dying/death, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness, as well as physical symptoms such as fatigue and pain. Cancer patients may report feeling upset or haunted by imagined scenarios in a way that causes them distress and lowers their quality of life. This study aims to look at the acceptability and feasability of a writing-based intervention for adults with late-stage or recurrent cancer, or actively treated blood cancer. The EASE study uses a writing-based approach to address an individual's worst-case scenario about cancer because previous studies have shown that similar approaches have shown promise in reducing fear in early-stage cancer survivors and among adults with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). The EASE study represents a novel adaptation of this foundational work on written exposure therapy (WET) to address worst-case scenarios among adults with late stage cancers. The EASE study will include 5 weekly one-on-one online video sessions with a trained therapist where participants will be coached through writing exercises based on a worst-case scenario related to their cancer experience.

Detailed description

This single-arm pilot trial aims to look at the acceptability and feasibility of a writing-based intervention for adults with metastatic or recurrent cancer, or actively treated blood cancer. The EASE intervention represents a novel adaptation of foundational work on written exposure therapy (WET) to address worst-case scenarios among adults with metastatic cancer, including cancer diagnosed at Stage III or IV, cancer that has recurred, or actively treated lymphoproliferative cancer. The study will consist of 5 weekly one-on-one online sessions with a trained graduate student therapist who will explain the approach and coach participants through writing exercises based on a worst-case scenario related to their fears about cancer. Remote Delivery. The intervention will be delivered remotely via videoconferencing software or videoconferencing plus phone. Phone sessions will be available as a backup if a participant has significant technical difficulties with Zoom. All sessions will be recorded.

Conditions

• Metastatic Cancer
• Solid Tumor Cancer
• Lymphoproliferative Disorders
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms
• Fear of Cancer Progression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Written Exposure Therapy	An innovative written exposure therapy intervention that addresses psychosocial needs commonly experienced by patients with late stage cancers.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-04-18
• Primary completion: 2023-09-21
• Completion: 2023-09-21
• First posted: 2023-09-18
• Last updated: 2023-12-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States