Telephone-Based Coaching for Advanced Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Too ill, Hospice, Under 18

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether phone-based coaching sessions can help advanced cancer patients and their caregivers engage more effectively in advance care planning (ACP). ACP includes crucial end-of-life discussions and completing documents like living wills. The trial aims to determine if social worker-led coaching sessions enhance participation in ACP. Patients with stage III or IV cancer who speak English or Spanish and have phone or internet access may qualify for this trial. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to valuable research that could enhance support for future patients and caregivers.

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 this telephone-based coaching is safe for advanced cancer patients?

A previous study found phone-based coaching sessions safe and helpful for cancer survivors, showing no harm and positive effects on participants. Another study on a similar phone-based health coaching program demonstrated its safety and usefulness for supporting cancer patients and their families.

This type of coaching involves conversations and planning for future care, typically without physical risks. Conducted over the phone, these sessions are easily accessible and less stressful for patients and caregivers. Participants learn to discuss care plans and manage any stress these discussions might cause. Overall, evidence suggests that these phone-based coaching sessions are well-tolerated and safe for people with advanced cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a unique approach to supporting patients with advanced cancer through telephone-based coaching sessions. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on in-person counseling or written materials, this telephonic approach offers a more accessible and flexible way for patients to receive guidance on advance care planning (ACP). The trial aims to enhance patient communication about ACP, manage distress related to these conversations, and encourage completion of advance directives—all over the phone. This method has the potential to make emotional and logistical support more convenient and less intimidating for patients, possibly leading to better engagement and outcomes in their care planning.

What evidence suggests that telephone-based coaching is effective for improving advance care planning in advanced cancer patients?

Studies have shown that phone-based coaching can greatly assist in planning future care for patients with advanced cancer. In this trial, participants in one arm will attend the Talking About Cancer (TAC) telephone-based coaching sessions. Research indicates that telehealth programs, such as TAC sessions, can help reduce stress and depression, common among cancer patients. These sessions aim to improve communication between patients and caregivers about end-of-life care and encourage completing important documents, like living wills. Guided conversations often make patients feel more comfortable discussing their wishes, leading to better preparation and peace of mind. This approach has shown promise in actively and positively involving patients in planning their care. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Megan Shen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. It aims to help those who haven't had end-of-life care conversations or completed advance directives like living wills. Participants must be willing to engage in telephone-based coaching sessions designed to facilitate these discussions.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to provide informed consent

Have access to a telephone or computer with internet access

My caregiver speaks English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Receiving hospice at the time of enrollment

I am too sick or weak to complete interviews.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend Talking About Cancer (TAC) telephone-based coaching sessions designed to support communication about advance care planning

2 weeks

2 sessions (telephone-based)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for engagement in advance care planning and completion of advance directives

12 weeks

Follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 weeks post-randomization

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Telephone-Based Coaching Sessions (TAC)

Trial Overview The study tests 'Talking About Cancer' (TAC) telephone coaching by a social worker, aimed at improving advance care planning participation. The intervention includes educational support and strategies to manage distress during end-of-life care discussions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm I (TAC sessions) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants attend Talking About Cancer (TAC) telephone-based coaching sessions (2 sessions) designed to support participants in communicating about advance care planning (ACP), managing distress around ACP conversations, engaging in the process of ACP, and completing advance directives over 45-60 minutes each once a week (QW) for 2 weeks.

Group II: Arm II (enhanced usual care) Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants receive an ACP brochure/handout on study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

583

Recruited

1,341,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07141407

Telephone-Based Coaching Sessions (TAC) to Improve ... This clinical trial studies whether telephone-based coaching sessions, Talking About Cancer (TAC), work to improve engagement in advance ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07141407?aggFilters=status%3A%2Csex%3Am%2Cages%3Aadult%2Chealthy%3Ay&ageRange=34.0y_34.0y

Telephone-Based Coaching Sessions (TAC) to Improve ... A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12409339/

Telehealth Approach in Breast Cancer Care: A Systematic ... Based on a recent meta-analysis, telehealth-based interventions are effective in reducing psychological symptoms such as depression and stress ...

4. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2010.28.15_suppl.tps273

Telephone-based health coaching for cognitive, affective ... Integrated data analysis will focus on the effectiveness of health coaching in development of self-regulation for positive support of couples' cancer ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-hematopoietic-and-lymphatic-system-neoplasm-2026-5dc62

Telephone-Based Coaching for Advanced Cancer This clinical trial studies whether telephone-based coaching sessions, Talking About Cancer (TAC), work to improve engagement in advance care planning (ACP) ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8768007/

Telerehabilitation's Safety, Feasibility, and Exercise Uptake ... Telerehabilitation is safe, feasible, and improved outcomes for cancer survivors. Learnings from this study may inform the ongoing implementation of cancer ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885392421004784

An Early Palliative Care Telehealth Coaching Intervention ... We pilot tested components of CASCADE, an early palliative care decision support training intervention for family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.