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

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Journey Ahead for gynecologic cancers?

Research shows that effective communication and coping skills can improve emotional well-being and reduce distress in women with gynecologic cancers. These skills help patients process emotions better, build trust with healthcare providers, and make informed decisions about their care. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the treatment Journey Ahead different from other treatments for gynecologic cancers?

Journey Ahead is unique because it focuses on coping and communication skills training, helping women with gynecologic cancers process their emotions and improve their communication, which is different from standard medical treatments that primarily address physical symptoms. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the Journey Ahead online program, which helps people with gynecologic cancers improve their coping and communication skills. The program includes educational content and activities to reduce stress and enhance emotional management. Researchers will gather feedback from participants and assess the program's effectiveness.

Research Team

Sharon L Manne, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional processing during psychotherapy among women newly diagnosed with a gynecological cancer. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of two psychological interventions for newly-diagnosed gynecological cancer patients. [2018]

3. United States 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. [2019]

4. Thailand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to facilitate psychosocial adjustment in women tested for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer susceptibility? Insights from network analysis. [2020]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coping with cancer: examining the supports available to women with gynecologic cancer at Saskatoon Cancer Center. [2018]

7. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Associations Between Stress Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support in Young Patients with Gynecologic Cancers]. [2018]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dyadic coping in young and middle-aged women with gynecological cancer: a latent class analysis. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Care Processes and Quality-of-Life Outcomes Affecting the Gynecologic Cancer Survivorship Experience. [2023]