Actively Recruiting
Development and Pilot Trial of Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy FACT for Patients With Advanced Cancer
Led by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · Updated on 2026-03-02
70
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
104 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating the effects of a program called Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy FACT on the anxiety related to death experienced by patients diagnosed with advanced cancer. The study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and initial impact of FACT in reducing death anxiety and improving coping, quality of life, and emotional well-being. The trial is designed as a randomized controlled pilot trial to explore these outcomes in adult cancer patients. Participants in the study will either receive the FACT intervention, which includes four weekly sessions lasting 35 to 45 minutes each, or enhanced usual care involving symptom questionnaires. The study includes two phases the first phase focuses on feasibility and acceptability of FACT in a single group, while the second phase compares FACT to usual care in a randomized controlled design. Both phases assess changes in anxiety, death anxiety, quality of life, depression, perceived stress, social support, illness understanding, and coping strategies. During the study, participants will complete self-report questionnaires at baseline, after treatment, and at a 6-week follow-up to evaluate changes in death anxiety and other psychological measures. The study also monitors safety and adverse events throughout, with an average participation duration of about one year. Researchers will additionally explore goals of care discussions and medical care aggressiveness near the end of life. The trial is sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and involves patients who have progressed past at least one line of palliative cancer treatment.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Development and Pilot Trial of Focused ACT (FACT) for Patients With Advanced Cancer
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult cancer patients diagnosed with advanced cancer (solid tumor and hematologic)
- Progressed past at least one line of palliative systemic cancer therapy
- Patient followed by Supportive Care Outpatient Service
- English speaking
- Able to provide written informed consent
- Willing to participate in a stress and coping program
- Willing to identify 1-2 important areas of life they might like to discuss with a counselor
- Moderate levels of death anxiety on DADDS (≥25, on 0-75 scale)
- Access to technology to support institutionally approved video-conferencing platform of Zoom
You will not qualify if you...
- ECOG performance status ≥3 (capable of only limited selfcare; confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours)
- Currently participating in regular psychotherapy (patient defined)
- Documented out of hospital DNR (do not resuscitate) orders
- Presence of active suicidal ideation or need for a higher level of care (as determined by Supportive Care physician or licensed mental health clinician)
Research Team
J
Juliet Kroll, BA,PHD
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