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Behavioral Intervention

Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) for Brain Tumor

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Ashlee Loughan, Ph.D
Research Sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Score > 20 on the TICS
Reported elevated depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) OR death anxiety symptoms (DADDS score ≥ 15)
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 6 months
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial is testing a therapy called CALM for people with brain cancer. It will compare CALM to the usual treatment that is currently used.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals with malignant brain cancer, who may also have other cancers like kidney, lung, breast, melanoma, or colon cancer. Participants should be interested in a psychotherapeutic approach to manage distress.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study compares the effectiveness of a psychotherapy called Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) against the standard treatment practices (TAU) in managing emotional distress in brain cancer patients.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Since CALM is a psychological therapy focused on reducing stress and improving well-being, it does not have physical side effects like medical treatments. However, discussing sensitive topics could potentially cause emotional discomfort.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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My thinking and memory test score is above 20.
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I have significant depression or anxiety about death.
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I have been diagnosed with a severe brain tumor or cancer that has spread to my brain.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~6 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 6 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Assess the acceptability of the CALM intervention- Participant Recommendation Ratings
Assess the acceptability of the CALM intervention- Participant Satisfaction
Assess the feasibility of the CALM intervention- Consent Rate
+4 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
CALM optimally consists of six individual sessions of 45 to 60 minutes, delivered over a three- to six-month period. CALM sessions address four broad and interrelated domains found to be important and relevant in this population: (1) symptom management and communication with healthcare providers, (2) changes in personal relationships, (3) sense of meaning and purpose, and (4) the future, hope and mortality.
Group II: Treatment as Usual (TAU)Placebo Group1 Intervention
Treatment as usual (TAU) for managing distress in brain cancer involves being provided a list of local / national resources (e.g., psychologist, social worker, or other mental health providers) if an individual chooses to seek treatment for the distress they are experiencing.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
CALM
2012
Completed Phase 3
~370

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Virginia Commonwealth UniversityLead Sponsor
699 Previous Clinical Trials
22,884,985 Total Patients Enrolled
United States Department of DefenseFED
865 Previous Clinical Trials
327,639 Total Patients Enrolled
Ashlee Loughan, Ph.DPrincipal InvestigatorVirginia Commonwealth University

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is the enrollment for this research study currently open?

"Indeed, the information available on clinicaltrials.gov indicates that this trial is actively seeking eligible participants. The initial posting of the clinical trial was on November 10th, 2023 and it underwent its last update on December 12th, 2023. A total of 60 patients will be enrolled in this study across one site or medical center."

Answered by AI

What is the upper limit for the participation count in this medical study?

"Indeed, as stated on clinicaltrials.gov, this ongoing trial is actively seeking eligible participants. The initial posting of the trial occurred on November 10th, 2023 and the most recent update was made on December 12th, 2023. A total of 60 patients will be enrolled in this study across a single site."

Answered by AI
~40 spots leftby Apr 2025