Psychotherapy for Latinos with Advanced Cancer

Recruiting at 5 trial locations

Overseen By Rosario Costas-Muniz, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Major disabling conditions, others

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

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

285 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to adapt a counseling method called Meaning Centered Psychotherapy to better suit Latino cancer patients. It focuses on improving the quality of life for Latinos with advanced stage III or IV solid tumor cancer. The trial includes both a control group and participants receiving this tailored psychotherapy. Individuals who self-identify as Latino or Hispanic, speak Spanish, and are dealing with advanced cancer might be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to advancements in culturally tailored cancer care.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your medications, especially if your psychiatric condition is well controlled by treatment.

What prior data suggests that Meaning Centered Psychotherapy is safe for Latinos with advanced cancer?

Research has shown that Meaning Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) has been adapted to meet the cultural needs of Latino patients with advanced cancer. Studies on this adaptation have found no harmful effects, indicating that Latino patients tolerate MCP well. Although specific safety details are not provided, MCP is a form of counseling, which is generally safe as it involves no drugs or surgery. Overall, it aims to enhance patients' quality of life, offering a positive benefit. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos (MCP-L) because it offers a culturally tailored approach that addresses the unique emotional and existential needs of Latino patients with advanced cancer. Unlike standard psychological therapies, which may not consider cultural nuances, MCP-L integrates meaningful aspects of Latino culture and values, fostering a deeper connection and relevance for participants. This personalized psychological support has the potential to improve quality of life and emotional well-being more effectively than traditional therapies that do not account for cultural differences.

What evidence suggests that Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos could be effective for improving quality of life in Latino patients with advanced cancer?

Research has shown that Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) helps patients with advanced cancer by enhancing their sense of purpose, hope, and overall quality of life. Studies have found that this therapy reduces distress and enhances well-being. In this trial, some participants will receive Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy specifically adapted for Latinos (MCP-L) to better meet their cultural needs, addressing specific challenges like family dynamics. Early results suggest that MCP can greatly improve the quality of life for Latinos with advanced cancer. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Rosario Costas-Muniz, PhD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Latino adults diagnosed with stage III or IV solid tumor cancer who are fluent in Spanish, either monolingual or bilingual. They must be willing to complete questionnaires and agree to audio recordings. Those with significant cognitive impairments, too ill to participate, or major disabling medical/psychiatric conditions that prevent informed consent are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Professionals working in the mental health field

I am part of a Phase I trial that involves measurements.

Have a caseload of five or more Latino cancer patients per month

Exclusion Criteria

In the judgment of the consenting professional, significant or major disabling medical or psychiatric condition sufficient to preclude meaningful informed consent, interview, or completion of assessment measures (patients whose psychiatric disorder is well controlled by treatment will be eligible)

I have been diagnosed with a major health or mental health condition.

I am able to understand and provide consent for my treatment.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Adaptation and Transcreation

Adapt and transcreate the manual based on findings from phases 1 and 2

Not specified

Pre-piloting

Interview patients to assess comprehension and acceptability of the adapted intervention

Not specified

Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Collect preliminary data on feasibility, recruitment, retention, adherence, and acceptability of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos

7-14 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in spiritual well-being, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness

7-14 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos

Trial Overview The study tests a culturally adapted counseling intervention called Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos. It aims to understand and improve the quality of life for Latino cancer patients by comparing it against a waitlist control group using assessments like the Spiritual Well-Being Scale.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos (MCP-L) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Group II: Control Active Control 4 Interventions

Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for:

• Advanced cancer
• Improving quality of life
• Spiritual well-being

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center

Collaborator

Trials

11

Recruited

2,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Patients with advanced cancer in Puerto Rico demonstrated low comprehension and acceptance of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) concepts, particularly regarding meaning, death, and legacy.

Participants expressed a strong desire to include family members in their therapy, indicating that interventions should be tailored to improve understanding and address end-of-life concepts more effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cultural Adaptation and Open Pilot of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Puerto Rican Patients with Advanced Cancer. Torres-Blasco, N., Castro-Figuero, E., Garduño-Ortega, O., et al.[2021]

A survey of 57 Latino advanced cancer patients and 57 caregivers revealed that a high percentage (73.75% to 95.5%) found Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) concepts extremely important for coping with their diagnosis.

The majority of participants (80.7%) emphasized the significance of finding and maintaining hope, and 86.8% valued finding meaning in life after a cancer diagnosis, indicating strong support for culturally tailored psychosocial interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Importance of Communication Skills Training and Meaning Centered Psychotherapy Concepts among Patients and Caregivers Coping with Advanced Cancer. Torres-Blasco, N., Rosario-Ramos, L., Navedo, ME., et al.[2023]

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) for Spanish-speaking cancer patients in a randomized control trial, comparing it to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with assessments at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up.

The research will also explore the feasibility and acceptance of MCP in this population, potentially confirming its effectiveness in improving quality of life and reducing anxiety and depression among cancer patients who have completed their main medical treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spanish Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Participants With Cancer: Study Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial. Marco, JH., Llombart, P., Guillén, V., et al.[2022]

A study involving 70 mental health professionals and 54 Latino patients with advanced cancer showed that culturally and linguistically adapted meaning-centered psychotherapy is highly acceptable and relevant for this population.

Qualitative interviews with 24 Latino patients highlighted the importance of simplifying language, using culturally relevant metaphors, and ensuring that the intervention aligns with Latino cultural values to improve psychological adjustment and well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latino Patients with Advanced Cancer: Cultural Adaptation Process. Costas-Muñiz, R., Torres-Blasco, N., Castro-Figueroa, EM., et al.[2021]

A case study of a Puerto Rican patient with advanced cancer revealed that while the patient had low comprehension of some key concepts in meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP), they showed high understanding of death and dying, indicating a need for culturally tailored interventions.

The patient demonstrated high acceptance of involving family in therapy, suggesting that MCP could be adapted to better fit the collectivist values of Latinx cultures, making it a potentially effective psychotherapy for improving spiritual well-being and quality of life in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comprehension and acceptance of the Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy with a Puerto Rican patient diagnosed with advanced cancer: A case study. Torres-Blasco, N., Castro, E., Crespo-Martín, I., et al.[2021]

A study involving 22 Spanish-speaking advanced cancer patients revealed six new themes related to their experiences in meaning-centered group psychotherapy (MCGP), highlighting the importance of addressing specific cultural and emotional needs.

The most common issues identified were 'threat' and 'uncertainty,' suggesting that these factors significantly impact the well-being of Spanish-speaking patients and should be integrated into future adaptations of MCGP for Latin American populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychological aspects of meaning-centered group psychotherapy: Spanish experience. Fraguell, C., Limonero, JT., Gil, F.[2019]

Mental health providers face significant challenges when counseling Latino cancer patients, particularly regarding discussions about diagnosis, prognosis, and end-of-life issues, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive approaches.

The study involved 66 mental health professionals who provided insights into these challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding provider experiences to improve training and interventions for better patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Maintaining hope:" challenges in counseling latino patients with advanced cancer. Costas-Muñiz, R., Garduño-Ortega, O., Torres-Blasco, N., et al.[2023]

The study identified key facilitators and barriers to implementing Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) for Latino cancer patients, emphasizing the need for cultural adaptation and flexibility in the intervention's delivery.

Factors such as the clinic environment, patient education, and provider training were crucial for successful implementation, highlighting the importance of addressing these pre-implementation needs to enhance the usability and acceptability of MCP.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

International adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos: Providers' views on pre-implementation. Costas-Muñiz, R., Torres-Blasco, N., Castro-Figueroa, EM., et al.[2023]

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C) is designed to address existential distress, a significant but often overlooked aspect of caregiver burden in those caring for patients with advanced cancer.

A case study from an initial MCP-C group revealed that participants experienced personal growth, improved self-care, and a deeper understanding of their caregiving experience, highlighting the potential benefits of this intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C): Rationale and Overview. Applebaum, AJ., Kulikowski, JR., Breitbart, W.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7104896/

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latino Patients with ... This study describes the cultural and linguistic adaptation of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy for Latinos with advanced cancer.

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31663811/

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latino Patients with ... This study describes the cultural and linguistic adaptation of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy for Latinos with advanced cancer.

3. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/4/e045487

Cultural adaptation of meaning-centered psychotherapy for ... 38 Our preliminary data show that 86% of Latinx patients with advanced cancer reported low family function, and those with low family cohesiveness had ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05197348

Spanish Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) is effective in improving meaning in life, hope, optimism, self-efficacy, well-being, and quality of life, and in reducing ...

5. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.31539

Individual meaning‐centered psychotherapy for the treatment ... This study examined the effectiveness of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy (IMCP) in comparison with supportive psychotherapy (SP) and enhanced usual ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04537936

Psychotherapy Intervention for Latinos With Adv Cancer | ... The purpose of this study is to adapt a counseling intervention called Meaning Centered Psychotherapy to make it culturally relevant for Latinos. Cancer ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.892573/full

Spanish Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy ... This study will provide results that confirm the efficacy of the MCP in Spanish participants with cancer.