Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.
Allison J Applebaum, Leah E Walsh, Talia Zaider...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41864988Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID06307535
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy to Meet Palliative Care Needs of Cancer Caregivers
Led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · Updated on 2026-05-26
200
Participants Needed
8
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
I
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Lead Sponsor
M
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the effects of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers (MCP-C) compared to standard Supportive Psychotherapy for Caregivers (SP-C) in people caring for patients with advanced cancer. The study focuses on improving caregivers' sense of meaning, spiritual well-being, and mental health, addressing common challenges such as caregiver burden, burnout, and stress. It is designed as a randomized behavioral intervention without masking. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either MCP-C, an innovative, manualized therapy that helps caregivers find meaning and purpose despite caregiving challenges, or SP-C, which represents standard supportive psychotherapy. Both therapies consist of 7 sessions. Questionnaires assessing meaning, spiritual well-being, depression, anxiety, and social support are completed before therapy starts and at approximately 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the last session. Participants may continue with therapy even if their loved one passes away. During the study, participants complete four sets of questionnaires taking about 35 to 50 minutes each, providing information on their life attitude, spiritual well-being, anxiety, depression, and caregiver experiences. The primary outcomes include improvements on the Life Attitude Profile-Revised and FACIT Spiritual Well-Being Scale over one year. Secondary measures assess anxiety, depression, benefit finding, caregiver reactions, and social support. Participation ends after the last questionnaire unless participants choose otherwise.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Study of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers to People With Cancer
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 or over
- Currently a caregiver to a patient with Stage III or IV solid tumor cancer receiving any medical care
- Experiences distress with a score of 4 or greater on the Distress Thermometer related to caregiving
- Can read and understand English
- Resides in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Florida, or can complete sessions via telehealth following current regulations
You will not qualify if you...
- Does not have a reasonable understanding of study activities as judged by the consenting professional
- Currently engaged in regular individual psychotherapy that cannot be paused during the study treatment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or via telehealth)
Outpatient Treatment
Duration - Up to 1 year
Participants receive either Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy or Supportive Psychotherapy to help caregivers connect to meaning and manage caregiving distress.
Weekly sessions for the duration of treatment
Follow-up
Duration - Up to 1 year
Participants are monitored for ongoing well-being and assessment of therapy outcomes after treatment ends.
Periodic assessments depending on therapy schedule
Trial Site Locations
Total: 8 locations
1
University of Miami (Data Collection AND Data Analysis)
Miami, Florida, United States, 33136
Actively Recruiting
2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States, 07920
Actively Recruiting
3
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited protocol activities)
Middletown, New Jersey, United States, 07748
Actively Recruiting
4
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
Montvale, New Jersey, United States, 07645
Actively Recruiting
5
Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk-Commack (Limited protocol activity)
Commack, New York, United States, 11725
Actively Recruiting
6
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Consent only)
Harrison, New York, United States, 10604
Actively Recruiting
7
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States, 10065
Actively Recruiting
8
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activites)
Rockville Centre, New York, United States, 11553
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
A
Allison Applebaum, PhD, FAPOS
M
Morgan Loschiavo, MPH
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.
Allison J J Applebaum, Leah E Walsh, Talia Zaider...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41674824