MAAT-YS Program for Young Adult Cancer Survivors

(MAAT-YACCS Trial)

Not currently recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Chloe A Sinagra

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Disqualifiers: Severe brain injury, Severe psychiatric disorders, Severe sensory impairment, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a telehealth program called MAAT-YS, designed to assist young adults who survived childhood cancer and now face memory and attention issues due to their cancer or its treatment. Participants will engage in eight weekly 45-minute sessions, using a workbook and completing homework to enhance cognitive function and quality of life. The study seeks cancer survivors aged 18-39 who completed treatment at least a year ago, are cancer-free, and experience memory or other cognitive problems. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve cognitive support for cancer survivors.

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

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

What prior data suggests that this telehealth-delivered MAAT-YS is safe for young adult cancer survivors?

Research shows that Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) helps cancer survivors manage memory and attention problems. While specific safety data for the customized MAAT-YS for young adult cancer survivors is not available, similar therapies have been well-received.

In past studies, MAAT has helped survivors address memory and attention issues. These therapies usually avoid physical side effects because they rely on psychological techniques instead of medication. Participants often engage in activities like using workbooks and completing assignments, which are generally safe.

This trial is in the early testing phase, focusing on effectiveness and practicality rather than safety. Cognitive-behavioral therapies like MAAT typically lack serious side effects, making them a low-risk choice for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the MAAT-YS program because it offers a fresh approach to supporting young adult cancer survivors. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on the physical aspects of recovery, MAAT-YS emphasizes cognitive-behavioral therapy to address emotional and psychological well-being. This program is tailored specifically to the unique challenges faced by young adults, aiming to improve their quality of life and mental resilience after cancer treatment. By targeting psychological health directly, MAAT-YS has the potential to complement existing care, leading to a more holistic recovery process.

What evidence suggests that MAAT-YS is effective for cancer-related cognitive impairment?

Studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve mental health and quality of life in cancer patients, particularly younger ones. Research indicates that CBT leads to moderate improvements, noticeably enhancing how patients feel and function. Early findings suggest that young adult cancer survivors often encounter cognitive and mental health challenges during and after treatment. In this trial, participants will receive MAAT-YS, a specialized CBT program designed to address these specific issues. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Robert J Ferguson, PhD

Principal Investigator

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Donna Posluszny, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adult cancer survivors aged 18-39 who had non-CNS solid tumors or leukemia/lymphoma diagnosed before age 18, are at least a year post-treatment and cancer-free. They must have cognitive issues related to their cancer treatment, be fluent in English, able to use telehealth with internet access, and willing to consent.

Inclusion Criteria

My memory or thinking problems have little impact on my daily life.

Willing to provide informed consent to participation

I finished my cancer treatment over a year ago and am currently cancer-free.

Exclusion Criteria

Scoring 3 or below on the 6-item cognitive screen designed to detect severe memory disorders

I have had a severe brain injury affecting my memory.

I have severe hearing or vision problems that cannot be corrected.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive telehealth-delivered Memory and Attention Adaption Training (MAAT-YS) tailored for young adult childhood cancer survivors with cancer-related cognitive impairment.

8 weeks

8 weekly visits (telehealth)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including self-report measures of cognitive symptoms, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• MAAT-YS

Trial Overview

The trial tests a telehealth-delivered Memory and Attention Adaption Training (MAAT) tailored for these survivors. It involves eight weekly sessions using a workbook with homework. Participants will assess their cognitive symptoms, quality of life, satisfaction with the treatment, and take online neuropsychological tests before and after MAAT.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: MAAT-YS Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will be treated with the MAAT-YS cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

451

Recruited

5,326,000+

Indiana University School of Medicine

Collaborator

Trials

194

Recruited

181,000+

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06150976

NCT06150976 | MAAT For Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Participants will complete online self-report measures of cognitive symptoms, quality of life, treatment satisfaction and a brief online neuropsychological test ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11336377/

The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health ...

CBT statistically improves the MH and QoL psychosocial parameters in cancer patients with greater efficacy in younger patients.

3.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11592372/

“It Was a Downward Spiral”: A Qualitative Study of Young ...

We interviewed 20 YA cancer survivors about their experiences with cognitive and mental health changes during and after cancer treatment.

4.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/18/4643

Using Single-Case Experimental Design and Patient ...

This article describes how to track symptoms with patient-reported outcome measures for individual cancer survivors who engage in CBT or other CRCI treatments ...

5.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/383270835_The_efficacy_of_cognitive_behavioral_therapy_for_mental_health_and_quality_of_life_among_individuals_diagnosed_with_cancer_A_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis

The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for mental ...

Results Across 132 clinical trials and 1030 effect size estimates, we identified that CBT moderately improves MH and QoL in cancer patients d = 0.388, 95% CI ...

6.

careacross.com

careacross.com/clinical-trials/trial/NCT06150976

MAAT For Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Participants will complete online self-report measures of cognitive symptoms, quality of life, treatment satisfaction and a brief online neuropsychological test ...

7.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/385806791_It_Was_a_Downward_Spiral_A_Qualitative_Study_of_Young_Adult_Cancer_Survivors'_Experiences_with_Cognitive_and_Mental_Health

A Qualitative Study of Young Adult Cancer Survivors ...

Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to help cancer survivors self-manage and ...

8.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/21/3430

Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions to Treat Cancer ...

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the relative effects of treatments for persistent CTRCI in adult survivors of non- ...