Online Support and Education for Lung Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Major psychiatric, Cognitive deficits, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 5 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether online support and education can improve social and emotional well-being for women with stage I-IV non-small cell lung cancer during treatment. Participants will either join group sessions on mindfulness and emotional coping or receive education about lung cancer and self-care. The trial aims to determine if these online interventions can reduce stress and improve symptom management. Women diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer within the last three months, currently receiving treatment, and with internet access may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance emotional and social well-being during cancer treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on online support and education, so it's likely you can continue your current treatment, but you should confirm with the trial coordinators.

What prior data suggests that this online psychosocial intervention is safe for women with non-small cell lung cancer?

Research has shown that online programs supporting mental and emotional health are generally safe for people with lung cancer. In past studies, patients using these web-based programs reported improved emotional well-being and reduced pain and fatigue. No major safety issues or serious negative effects emerged, indicating that the treatment is well-tolerated.

The treatment involves learning skills such as mindfulness and understanding emotions. These techniques have been shown to help manage stress and enhance overall well-being. While side effects are always possible with any treatment, current evidence suggests this approach is safe for most people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these interventions because they offer innovative, non-drug approaches to support lung cancer patients. Unlike standard treatments, which often focus solely on medical management, these interventions emphasize psychological and educational support tailored to the patient's emotional and informational needs. The psychological intervention introduces mindfulness, emotional processing, and proactive coping strategies, which can enhance mental well-being. Meanwhile, the educational intervention empowers patients with knowledge about lung cancer and self-care practices, potentially improving their quality of life. These approaches aim to complement traditional treatments, addressing the often-overlooked psychosocial aspects of cancer care.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for improving social well-being in women with non-small cell lung cancer?

Research has shown that online support programs can improve emotional well-being for people with lung cancer. In this trial, participants will join one of two groups. Group I will receive a psychological intervention, which includes skills like mindfulness and understanding emotions to help manage stress and lung cancer symptoms. Group II will receive an educational intervention, focusing on lung cancer education, symptom management, and self-care. Studies have found that digital health tools can enhance quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression. Specifically, a review found that technology-based support can be very effective for lung cancer patients during treatment. This approach helps patients feel more supported and connected, which is important for their overall health. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kathrin Milbury, MA,PHD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women with stage I-IV non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed within the last 3 months, currently undergoing treatment. Participants must have stable disease if metastatic, be able to perform daily activities (ECOG <=2), have internet access, and can read and speak English. Women already in psychotherapy or support groups or those with major psychiatric issues are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Have access to the internet

I can take care of myself but might not be able to do heavy physical work.

I am a woman diagnosed with lung cancer recently and my disease is stable.

Exclusion Criteria

Major psychiatric or cognitive deficits that would impede the completion of self-report instruments as deemed by the clinical team

I regularly attend psychotherapy or a cancer support group.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo either psychological or educational intervention sessions once a week for up to 5 weeks

5 weeks

5 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for psychological distress and cancer symptoms after treatment

3 months

2 visits (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Online Psychosocial Intervention

Trial Overview

The study tests an online psychosocial intervention aimed at improving social well-being and support for women during lung cancer treatment. It includes mindfulness, compassion training, emotional processing exercises, educational materials, and questionnaires to track progress.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group II (educational intervention) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients participate in 5 information sessions and receive education on lung cancer, symptom management, communication, and practicing self-care once a week for up to 5 weeks. Patients also complete questionnaires and participate in group sessions as in group I.

Group II: Group I (psychological intervention) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients participate in 5 psychological sessions and complete training on mindfulness, compassion, emotional processing, social support, generating positive emotions, and proactive coping strategies once a week for up to 5 weeks. Patients also complete questionnaires over 35 minutes and participate in video-based group sessions weekly for 5 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 356 cancer patients, the telephone caseworker (TCW) model showed a significant improvement in physical functioning at 3 months compared to usual care, suggesting potential benefits of this intervention.

Participants in the TCW model reported better communication with their healthcare team and were more likely to have their needs addressed, indicating that this model may help in managing psychosocial needs, although no overall intervention effect was observed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of two supportive care interventions on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and unmet needs in patients with nonlocalized breast and colorectal cancers. Girgis, A., Breen, S., Stacey, F., et al.[2022]

Psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapies and mind-body strategies, have been shown to effectively reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life for lung cancer patients, who often face significant emotional challenges due to their diagnosis.

The article emphasizes the importance of these interventions in clinical settings, suggesting that healthcare providers should be aware of and utilize these mental health treatment options to support lung cancer patients and their families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial challenges for patients with advanced lung cancer: interventions to improve well-being. Lehto, RH.[2020]

Internet interventions can effectively address the mental health needs of cancer patients and survivors, helping to fill significant treatment gaps in psychosocial oncology.

Despite the potential, there are currently few rigorous studies on online mental health interventions specifically for cancer patients, highlighting the need for more research and the establishment of best practices in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet interventions for improving psychological well-being in psycho-oncology: review and recommendations. Leykin, Y., Thekdi, SM., Shumay, DM., et al.[2022]

Preliminary evidence indicates that online supportive care interventions for individuals living with and beyond lung cancer are feasible and acceptable, although most studies are small pilot projects with limited high-level evidence.

Integrating online supportive care into cancer treatment pathways may enhance quality of life and emotional functioning while reducing symptom distress, highlighting the need for further research to expand these supportive care options.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of online supportive care for individuals living with and beyond lung cancer: a systematic review. Curry, J., Patterson, M., Greenley, S., et al.[2022]

Citations

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clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05497973

Psychosocial eHealth in Advanced Lung Cancer

Psychosocial support community where patients can share doubts, fears, and experiences with other patients with advanced lung cancer. This private social ...

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12343835/

Systematic review on the technology's role in supporting lung ...

This systematic review examines the role of technology-based interventions in supporting lung cancer patients during their treatment.

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sciencedirect.com

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An eHealth ecosystem for stepped and early psychosocial ...

We will enroll 76 patients with advanced lung cancer into an eHealth ecosystem of stepped and personalized psychosocial care for 9 months.

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careacross.com

careacross.com/clinical-trials/trial/NCT05497973

Psychosocial eHealth in Advanced Lung Cancer

Usual psychosocial care consists of 7 individual sessions of 45-60 minutes, with 2-3 weeks of space between sessions, based on Individual Meaning-Centered ...

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cancer.jmir.org

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Digital Health Psychosocial Intervention in Adult Patients With ...

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of digital health interventions on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients.

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mhealth.jmir.org

mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e71196

Effects of Remote Web-Based Interventions on the ...

The remote web-based interventions were effective in reducing the intensity of physiological pain, relieving fatigue, improving depression and anxiety,

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nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41598-025-09847-6

Exploring psychological distress among lung cancer ...

The 5-year survival rate of patients with advanced lung cancer is low, coupled with the difficulty of treatment and poor prognosis, patients ...