Coping and Communication Skills Training for Gynecologic Cancers

Overseen By Sharon L Manne, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Gynecologic cancer, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Journey Ahead intervention in helping individuals with gynecologic cancers enhance their coping and communication skills. Participants will engage in eight sessions and six phone calls focused on these skills. The program is designed for those diagnosed with specific types of gynecologic cancers, such as ovarian or cervical cancer, who have undergone treatment or surgery in the past five years. Participants must have internet access and be able to communicate in English to take part in online and phone sessions. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve support for others facing similar challenges.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the Journey Ahead intervention is safe for participants with gynecologic cancers?

Research has shown that the Journey Ahead program helps women with gynecologic cancers enhance their coping skills and communication. In a previous study, 14 women diagnosed and treated for these cancers participated in the Journey Ahead program. They completed eight online sessions, and no negative effects were reported, suggesting participants generally tolerate the program well.

As the program involves coaching sessions rather than medication or surgery, the risk of physical harm remains very low. It is designed to help participants manage stress and improve communication. Overall, evidence indicates that Journey Ahead is safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Journey Ahead" program because it focuses on developing coping and communication skills specifically for individuals with gynecologic cancers. Unlike conventional treatments that might focus on medication or surgery, this intervention emphasizes psychological support through 8 sessions and 6 phone calls, potentially improving patients' mental well-being and quality of life. This approach is unique because it recognizes the importance of emotional and communicative strength in managing cancer, offering a holistic complement to standard medical treatments.

What evidence suggests that the Journey Ahead intervention is effective for improving coping and communication skills in gynecologic cancer patients?

Research shows that the Journey Ahead program, provided to participants in this trial, helps individuals with gynecologic cancers improve coping and communication skills. Studies have found that similar methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, effectively reduce symptoms in women with these cancers. Early results suggest that Journey Ahead, which combines online and telehealth coaching, is practical and well-received by participants. While specific data on its effectiveness is still being gathered, the program relies on proven techniques to support emotional and social well-being. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sharon L Manne, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women over 18 who've been diagnosed with various gynecological cancers, including uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Participants should be within 5 years post-cancer surgery or treatment like chemo or radiation and must have internet access to view online sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 or higher cervical cancer or had a recurrence in the last 5 years.

I can access the internet and participate in online sessions and telehealth chats.

I am mostly active and can carry out my daily activities.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in the Journey Ahead intervention focusing on coping and communication skill development during the course of 8 sessions and 6 phone calls.

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in distress, coping, and other psychological measures post-intervention.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Journey Ahead

Trial Overview The 'Journey Ahead' intervention is being tested to see if it helps improve coping and communication skills in women with gynecologic cancers. It involves informational sessions viewed online followed by discussions via phone or video chat.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Journey Ahead Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Experimental: Journey Ahead intervention focusing on coping and communication skill development during the course of 8 sessions and 6 phone calls.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 16 women with gynecologic cancer identified that family support was the most significant coping strategy, with 96.8% of participants relying on it, and 71.4% found talking about their experiences helpful.

Despite the emotional support from healthcare providers, only a small percentage attended counseling or support groups, indicating a need for improved access to supportive resources and information about available workshops to enhance coping strategies during their cancer journey.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coping with cancer: examining the supports available to women with gynecologic cancer at Saskatoon Cancer Center. Smith, SN., Chizen, D., Agrawal, A.[2018]

A study involving 646 women tested for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer revealed that coping strategies, particularly avoidance, were strongly linked to negative emotions and psychosocial difficulties, especially in those receiving a pathogenic variant result.

Network analysis showed that cognitive restructuring was associated with lower psychosocial difficulties, suggesting that targeted counseling could help improve coping strategies and emotional adjustment after genetic testing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to facilitate psychosocial adjustment in women tested for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer susceptibility? Insights from network analysis. Brédart, A., Dick, J., Cano, A., et al.[2020]

The coping and communication-enhancing intervention (CCI) significantly reduced depressive symptoms and cancer-specific distress in 352 women with gynecological cancer over the first six months compared to supportive counseling (SC) and usual care (UC).

Unlike SC, which showed no significant benefits, CCI improved emotional well-being and demonstrated that structured psychological interventions are essential for effectively addressing distress in newly diagnosed cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of two psychological interventions for newly-diagnosed gynecological cancer patients. Manne, SL., Virtue, SM., Ozga, M., et al.[2018]

In a study of 236 young patients with gynecologic cancers, those with better job status, higher incomes, and more education reported greater perceived social support and used less ineffective coping strategies.

The research found that social support, particularly from family, significantly enhances effective coping strategies for stress, highlighting its importance in the psychological well-being of these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Associations Between Stress Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support in Young Patients with Gynecologic Cancers]. Li, DH., Zhu, H., Guo, XJ., et al.[2018]

A study involving 44 gynecologic cancer survivors revealed that common unmet needs included stress reduction, side effect management, and fear of cancer recurrence, highlighting significant psychosocial concerns post-treatment.

Effective communication and care coordination among healthcare providers were identified as critical factors, suggesting that nurses can enhance survivorship care by providing education and support to improve self-management and reduce stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Care Processes and Quality-of-Life Outcomes Affecting the Gynecologic Cancer Survivorship Experience. Reb, AM., Economou, D., Cope, DG., et al.[2023]

A study of 228 Turkish women with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy found that those who used more problem-focused coping strategies, like acceptance and emotional support, reported a better quality of life compared to those who relied on emotion-focused strategies.

Younger patients experienced lower psychological and spiritual well-being, highlighting the need for psycho-oncology support programs to encourage effective coping strategies and improve overall quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coping and quality of life in Turkish women living with ovarian cancer. Tuncay, T.[2022]

Women newly diagnosed with gynecological cancer showed the ability to engage in emotional processing during therapy sessions, with average ratings indicating they discussed their feelings and experiences meaningfully.

In the coping and communication skills intervention (CCI), higher levels of emotional processing were linked to greater perceived progress in therapy, suggesting that this emotional engagement may enhance treatment outcomes for patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional processing during psychotherapy among women newly diagnosed with a gynecological cancer. Manne, SL., Myers-Virtue, S., Darabos, K., et al.[2022]

A study of 339 young and middle-aged women with gynecological cancer revealed that about one-third experienced issues with dyadic coping (DC), particularly among cervical cancer patients, indicating a need for targeted emotional support.

Three distinct patterns of DC were identified: low, middle, and high, with low-DC patients reporting insufficient emotional support and higher levels of anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of addressing emotional needs in cancer care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dyadic coping in young and middle-aged women with gynecological cancer: a latent class analysis. Shang, M., Cai, T., Meng, Y., et al.[2022]

Effective communication between gynecologic oncology providers and patients is essential for improving patient knowledge, trust, and shared decision-making, which ultimately leads to better patient-centered care.

Training in serious illness communication skills is crucial for healthcare providers, as it not only enhances patient outcomes but also reduces provider burnout by equipping them to handle emotionally charged situations more effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advanced communication: A critical component of high quality gynecologic cancer care: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology evidence based review and guide. Littell, RD., Kumar, A., Einstein, MH., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05220033

Journey Ahead: Enhancing Coping and Communication for ... This study looks at how well the Journey Ahead intervention works in improving coping and communication skills in participants with gynecologic cancers.

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-fallopian-tubes-cancer-6-2020-29118

Coping and Communication Skills Training for Gynecologic ... This trial tests the Journey Ahead online program, which helps people with gynecologic cancers improve their coping and communication skills.

3. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT05220033/journey-ahead-enhancing-coping-and-communication-for-women-diagnosed-with-gynecological-cancer

Journey Ahead: Enhancing Coping and Communication for ... This study looks at how well the Journey Ahead intervention works in improving coping and communication skills in participants with gynecologic

4. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/jporp/fulltext/2023/10000/an_online_and_telehealth_intervention_for_women.10.aspx

An online and telehealth intervention for women diagnosed... The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of Journey Ahead, a blended online and telehealth coaching ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11413694/

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in women ... Cognitive behavioral therapy was shown to be a useful treatment for the symptoms experienced by women with gynecological cancer, with significant effect sizes.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7290868/

Ovarian cancer - PMC - PubMed Central - NIH Ovarian cancer is a global problem, is typically diagnosed at a late stage and has no effective screening strategy.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12427352/

Machine Learning Models for Predicting Gynecological Cancers This review explores how machine learning, an advanced computer-based method, is changing the way healthcare professionals detect and treat ...