Therapy for Young Adults with Cancer and Their Partners

(YAD Trial)

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Zeba N Ahmad, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Uncontrolled psychosis, active suicidal ideation, cognitive impairment

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a short therapy program, the Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention, can help young adults with cancer and their partners better manage cancer-related stress and maintain strong relationships. Participants will attend weekly virtual sessions for about an hour over eight weeks. The trial seeks young adults currently undergoing cancer treatment or who completed treatment within the last two years at Massachusetts General Cancer Center, as well as their partners. The program aims to assist those experiencing significant cancer-related stress. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a unique opportunity to receive support and strengthen their relationships while contributing to valuable research.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this psychotherapy intervention is safe for young adults with cancer and their partners?

Research has shown that therapy for young adults with cancer and their partners is generally safe and well-received. In one study involving couples facing cancer, both patients and their partners highly recommended the program, with over 95% of participants expressing satisfaction. Although not a drug or medical treatment, this therapy focuses on enhancing communication and support, which many find beneficial. Reports of negative effects from this type of therapy have not emerged, making it a safe choice for those seeking to cope better and maintain relationships during challenging times. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention" because it takes a unique approach by focusing on both the young adult cancer patients and their partner-caregivers through dyadic virtual psychotherapy sessions. Unlike traditional cancer treatments that primarily address the physical aspects of the disease, this intervention emphasizes psychological and emotional well-being, which is often overlooked. The use of virtual sessions makes it accessible and convenient, allowing participants to engage from the comfort of their homes. This holistic approach aims to improve the mental health and relationship dynamics of both patients and their partners, potentially enhancing overall quality of life during a challenging time.

What evidence suggests that the Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention is effective for improving psychosocial coping and maintaining couple relationships?

Research shows that when couples talk and support each other during cancer treatment, they feel closer and make better decisions together. Studies have found that learning effective coping strategies reduces depression and anxiety in cancer patients and improves overall well-being. Early results suggest these communication methods are especially beneficial for young adult couples, who often face significant stress when one partner has cancer. Additionally, training in couple-based skills helps young women with breast cancer feel less fearful of recurrence. Overall, these findings highlight the potential benefits of the Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention, which participants in this trial will receive, in helping couples manage the challenges of cancer. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jamie M Jacobs, PhD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Giselle K Perez, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adult cancer patients aged 25-39 and their partners, who are either currently undergoing treatment or have completed it within the past two years at Massachusetts General Cancer Center. Participants must show significant distress on a screening questionnaire and be English-speaking.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently in cancer treatment or finished it within the last two years at MGHCC.

Indicates a score ≥4 on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) adapted distress thermometer study screening questions

Partner of a participant indicating a score ≥4 on the NCCN adapted distress thermometer study screening questions

Exclusion Criteria

Uncontrolled psychosis

I am currently having thoughts about harming myself.

I have difficulty with memory or thinking clearly.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants attend dyadic virtual psychotherapy sessions lasting 45-60 minutes on a weekly basis for eight weeks

8 weeks

8 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants complete surveys and optional semi-structured exit interviews to assess the intervention's feasibility and acceptability

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention

Trial Overview

The study tests a brief psychotherapy intervention aimed at improving coping mechanisms and preserving couple relationships among young adults with cancer and their caregiving partners.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Young adults with cancer and their partner-caregivers will attend dyadic virtual psychotherapy sessions lasting 45-60 minutes on a weekly basis for eight weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Younger couples coping with breast cancer reported significantly worse quality of life and dyadic coping compared to middle-aged couples, indicating that age influences how couples manage stress together.

The study found that relational mutuality had a stronger impact on coping behaviors in younger couples, suggesting that enhancing mutual support could improve their coping strategies and overall quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dyadic Coping Across the Lifespan: A Comparison Between Younger and Middle-Aged Couples With Breast Cancer. Acquati, C., Kayser, K.[2023]

The Couplelinks web-based program showed modest improvements in positive dyadic coping among 75 couples affected by breast cancer, but these effects did not last at the 3-month follow-up.

No significant changes were observed in overall relationship adjustment, suggesting that the program may need to focus more on addressing specific relationship problems rather than just enhancing coping strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Couplelinks online intervention for young couples facing breast cancer: A randomised controlled trial. Fergus, K., Ahmad, S., Gardner, S., et al.[2022]

The study analyzed online narratives from 46 young adults affected by cancer, revealing 10 key themes related to their experiences, including feelings of isolation, guilt, and the importance of creating a positive attitude.

Blogs serve as a valuable platform for young cancer patients to connect and share their experiences, especially when they face physical limitations or isolation due to treatment, highlighting the potential for online support networks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The experience of young adult cancer patients described through online narratives. Kim, B., Gillham, DM.[2013]

The Hand in Hand intervention is a randomized controlled trial involving 199 breast cancer patients and their partners, aimed at improving emotional coping through couple sessions with a psychologist, in addition to usual care.

The primary outcome measures cancer-specific distress in patients at 5 months post-surgery, with secondary outcomes assessing general distress, anxiety, depression, and relationship dynamics, highlighting the intervention's potential to enhance psychosocial support for couples facing breast cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attachment-oriented psychological intervention for couples facing breast cancer: protocol of a randomised controlled trial. Nicolaisen, A., Hansen, DG., Hagedoorn, M., et al.[2018]

This study aims to understand the experiences and needs of partners supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer, recognizing the unique challenges they face during a critical developmental stage.

Through qualitative interviews and diary entries, the research will identify key themes that can inform future guidance and support for partners, enhancing their ability to cope and maintain their relationships during this difficult time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The experience and role of partners in helping to meet the support needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer. Davies, J.[2019]

Recent research highlights the importance of partners in managing cancer-related distress, emphasizing that improved communication and intimacy can enhance emotional well-being for cancer survivors and their partners.

There is a growing recognition of the need to incorporate psychosocial research findings into standard care practices, focusing on topics like grief and the 'new normal' in sexual health, to better support couples during and after cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional and sexual health in cancer: partner and relationship issues. Wittmann, D.[2016]

Young adult cancer patients and their families often coordinate support based on their strengths, which influences who takes on caregiving roles during treatment.

The relationship history between patients and caregivers significantly affects trust and expectations regarding the type of psychosocial support needed, highlighting the importance of understanding family dynamics in cancer care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family dynamics in young adult cancer caregiving: "It should be teamwork". Reblin, M., Stanley, NB., Galligan, A., et al.[2020]

After cancer therapy, a significant percentage of cancer patients (28.3%) and their partners (46.2%) experienced moderate to high levels of anxiety, indicating that cancer affects the emotional well-being of both parties.

While partners showed a decrease in anxiety and depression over the year following therapy, patients' levels of anxiety and depression remained unchanged, highlighting the need for ongoing social support for both patients and their partners.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychological distress of cancer patients with children under 18 years and their partners-a longitudinal study of family relationships using dyadic data analysis. Götze, H., Friedrich, M., Brähler, E., et al.[2018]

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Young adults with cancer and their partner-caregivers will attend dyadic virtual psychotherapy sessions lasting 45-60 minutes on a weekly basis for eight weeks.

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