Feasibility and Acceptability Study of Parent Fear of Cancer Recurrence Therapy Parent-FORT for Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors

What this Trial Is About

Fear of cancer recurrence FCR affects many adult cancer survivors and their family caregivers, often leading to distress and lower quality of life. Parents of childhood cancer survivors face similar concerns, but existing brief interventions for FCR have not been tested with this group. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a newly adapted therapy called Parent-FORT designed specifically for these parents, and to understand its impact on their fear and quality of life. The study will enroll 36 parents of childhood cancer survivors who will be randomly assigned to either receive the Parent-FORT intervention immediately or join a three-month waitlist control group. Parent-FORT includes seven weekly 120-minute group therapy sessions delivered via videoconference, with activities, group discussions, and homework assignments led by trained therapists. Participants will also attend a one-on-one pre-therapy meeting before starting the group sessions. Those in the waitlist group will be offered the intervention after the waiting period. Participants will complete questionnaires before and after the intervention and again three months later to measure changes in fear of cancer recurrence and quality of life. Additional assessments include post-session measures of group cohesion and alliance. Therapists will be trained and supervised to ensure treatment fidelity. The study also includes interviews to gather feedback on the intervention experience. The total participation period includes the intervention and follow-up assessments, lasting several months.

Adapting The Fear Of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) for Parents and Establishing Acceptability and Feasibility