Stress Management Program for Depression and Anxiety in Young Adults With Cancer

(PRISM Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Samantha Bento, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Prisoners, Suicidality, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 6-12 weeks

15 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a stress management program called PRISM (Promoting Resilience in Stress Management Program), designed to help young adults manage depression and anxiety related to cancer or a desmoid tumor. The program includes six therapy sessions, either remotely or in person, with a psychologist to build resilience and manage stress. It suits those diagnosed with cancer or a desmoid tumor at least six weeks ago and who are either currently receiving treatment or finished treatment in the last six months. Participants should experience symptoms of depression or anxiety affecting their daily lives.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore new ways to manage stress and improve mental health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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 healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that the PRISM Program is safe for young adults with cancer?

Research has shown that the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) program is well-received by young adults with cancer. Studies have found that PRISM boosts resilience, lowers distress, and improves quality of life. No reports of serious side effects have emerged from participating in this supportive program. This suggests that PRISM is a safe way to help manage stress, depression, and anxiety in young adults with cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) program is unique because it offers a structured, psychological approach specifically tailored for young adults with cancer who are experiencing depression and anxiety. Unlike standard treatments that might rely heavily on medication or general therapy, PRISM combines flexibility with personalized care through remote or in-clinic sessions, focusing on building resilience. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it empowers patients to actively manage stress, potentially improving mental health outcomes and quality of life alongside their cancer treatment.

What evidence suggests that the PRISM Program is effective for managing depression and anxiety in young adults with cancer?

Research has shown that the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Program, which participants in this trial will receive, can help young adults with cancer improve their mental health. In earlier studies, participants in PRISM felt more resilient and hopeful after three months. They also experienced less distress, feeling less worried or upset. The program includes coaching to teach skills for better stress management. These studies suggest that PRISM could effectively reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adults dealing with cancer. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Samantha Bento, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Greta J Khanna, PhD, MA

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults with cancer who are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study aims to see if a program called PRISM can help manage these psychological symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

Support persons must be a friend or family member invited by the study participant to join the 6th PRISM session

I was diagnosed with cancer that has not spread more than 6 weeks ago.

Participants must score 10-14 on the PHQ-9 (Kroenke et al., 1999) and/or score 10-14 on the GAD-7 (Spitzer et al., 2006) during the initial screening assessment

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who score >14 on PHQ-9 and/or GAD-7

Individuals who report any suicidality (ideation, plan, and/or intent) at the time of the eligibility screening

Individuals who score <10 on both PHQ-9 and GAD-7

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline questionnaires and a diagnostic assessment of depressive and anxiety symptoms

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment

Participants undergo the PRISM intervention, consisting of 6 weekly or bi-weekly psychotherapy sessions

6-12 weeks

6 visits (remote or in-clinic)

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants complete final questionnaires and a post-study exit interview

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Promoting Resilience in Stress Management Program

Trial Overview The intervention being tested is the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Program, which is designed to support young adults with cancer by addressing their depressive and anxiety symptoms.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PRISM Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be enrolled and will complete study procedures as follows: * Baseline visit with questionnaires. * 6 weekly or bi-weekly remote or in-clinic, psychotherapy sessions with psychologist. * Final questionnaires and post-study exit interview

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,128

Recruited

382,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The PRISM-AC trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a new intervention designed to improve psychosocial outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with advanced cancer, involving 144 participants across multiple sites.

This intervention includes skills-based training in resilience resources and aims to enhance health-related quality of life, reduce anxiety and depression, and support family involvement, potentially offering a valuable resource for this vulnerable population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Intervention: a multi-site randomized controlled trial for adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer. O'Daffer, A., Comiskey, L., Scott, SR., et al.[2023]

An 8-week resiliency group program for posttreatment lymphoma survivors showed promising feasibility, with 76.9% of participants completing at least 6 out of 8 sessions, indicating strong acceptability among survivors.

Participants demonstrated significant improvements in stress coping, uncertainty tolerance, and anxiety, suggesting that the program effectively addresses emotional and social challenges faced by survivors after treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A virtual resiliency program for lymphoma survivors: helping survivors cope with post-treatment challenges. Perez, GK., Walsh, EA., Quain, K., et al.[2022]

The PRISM intervention, which includes four skills-based training sessions, significantly improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents and young adults with cancer compared to usual care, particularly in psychosocial areas.

Participants in the PRISM group showed more positive changes in specific HRQOL subdomains, such as treatment anxiety and cognitive function, indicating that PRISM effectively enhances resilience and overall wellbeing in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Psychosocial Intervention's Impact on Quality of Life in AYAs with Cancer: A Post Hoc Analysis from the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Randomized Controlled Trial. Steineck, A., Bradford, MC., Lau, N., et al.[2022]

The PRISM intervention, a skills-based coaching program for adolescents and young adults with cancer, led to significant improvements in quality of life, hope, and resilience, with these benefits sustained for up to 24 months after the program ended.

Among participants who showed initial improvement after 6 months, those in the PRISM group were more likely to maintain their positive outcomes in quality of life and psychological well-being compared to those receiving usual care, indicating the long-term efficacy of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessment of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management Intervention for Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Cancer at 2 Years: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Rosenberg, AR., Zhou, C., Bradford, MC., et al.[2022]

The PRISM-AC trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a new resilience training program for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with advanced cancer, involving 144 participants across multiple sites, focusing on improving their health-related quality of life and reducing distress.

This intervention includes skills-based training in stress management and goal-setting, along with a family meeting and a smartphone app, potentially offering a comprehensive approach to support AYAs and their caregivers during a challenging time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protocol for the promoting resilience in stress management (PRISM) intervention: a multi-site randomized controlled trial for adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer. O'Daffer, A., Comiskey, L., Scott, SR., et al.[2023]

Cancer patients experience significant stress that can negatively impact their quality of life and may even promote tumor growth and metastasis, highlighting the importance of effective stress management.

Randomized controlled trials have shown that stress management interventions can improve psychological and physiological adaptation, potentially leading to better health outcomes for cancer patients and survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stress Management Interventions to Facilitate Psychological and Physiological Adaptation and Optimal Health Outcomes in Cancer Patients and Survivors. Antoni, MH., Moreno, PI., Penedo, FJ.[2023]

The PRISM intervention significantly improved coping skills related to benefit finding and hopeful thinking in adolescents and young adults with cancer, with moderate-to-large effect sizes observed in a study of 92 participants.

Despite the positive effects on benefit finding and hope, PRISM did not show a significant impact on goal setting, suggesting that while it enhances certain coping strategies, further development may be needed to address goal-setting skills.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hope and benefit finding: Results from the PRISM randomized controlled trial. Rosenberg, AR., Bradford, MC., Barton, KS., et al.[2020]

The 'Promoting Resilience in Stress Management' intervention showed positive effects on resilience, hope, quality of life, and distress in adolescents and young adults with cancer, based on a study of 92 participants.

However, the intervention was less effective for those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, suggesting that socioeconomic factors may influence the efficacy of this palliative care approach.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining key sociodemographic characteristics of adolescents and young adults with cancer: A post hoc analysis of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management randomized clinical trial. Lau, N., Bradford, MC., Steineck, A., et al.[2022]

The ongoing randomized-controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the PRISM resilience-coaching program in reducing depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for cancer, with a target enrollment of 90 participants across four US centers.

The PRISM intervention includes four coaching sessions focused on stress management and cognitive restructuring, and it is hypothesized that AYAs receiving PRISM will report lower levels of psychological distress compared to those receiving standard psychosocial care, with outcomes assessed at 3 and 6 months post-enrollment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) intervention for adolescents and young adults receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation: a randomized controlled trial protocol. Fladeboe, KM., Scott, S., Comiskey, L., et al.[2022]

In a study of over 1,200 cancer patients, nearly 50% reported clinically significant levels of distress, highlighting the need for effective screening and psychosocial support.

Younger patients, single individuals, and females were more likely to experience higher distress levels, suggesting that these demographic factors can help identify those who may benefit from early interventions and support services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Distress and Psychosocial Needs: Demographic Predictors of Clinical Distress After a Diagnosis of Cancer. Hamilton, J., Kruse, H., Holcomb, L., et al.[2019]

The STREAM intervention, a web-based stress management program for newly diagnosed cancer patients, aims to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression through eight modules with minimal psychologist contact, involving 120 participants in a controlled trial.

This study is significant as it explores the feasibility and efficacy of online psychological support for cancer patients, potentially offering a cost-effective and accessible alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-based stress management for newly diagnosed cancer patients (STREAM-1): a randomized, wait-list controlled intervention study. Grossert, A., Urech, C., Alder, J., et al.[2018]

The SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Training) program significantly improved resilience, reduced perceived stress and anxiety, and enhanced quality of life in 25 women with breast cancer over a 12-week period, compared to a control group.

The intervention, which included group training sessions and follow-up calls, was found to be feasible and effective, indicating that brief resilience training can be beneficial for breast cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stress Management and Resilience Training (SMART) program to decrease stress and enhance resilience among breast cancer survivors: a pilot randomized clinical trial. Loprinzi, CE., Prasad, K., Schroeder, DR., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.10009

Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) At 3-months, PRISM-AYAs reported significantly more improved resilience [mean change-score +1.3 (5.9) vs -1.4 (7.5), p=0.038] and hope [+2.4 ( ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37189149/

Protocol for the promoting resilience in stress management ... This study will provide methodologically rigorous data and evidence regarding a novel intervention to promote resilience and reduce distress among AYAs with ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06502483

PRISM for Depression and Anxiety in Young Adults With ... This research study is being done to test the initial feasibility and acceptability of a six-session, skills-based resilience coaching intervention, Promoting ...

4. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10895146

Project Details We have previously described the “Promoting Resilience in Stress Management” (PRISM) intervention for AYAs with cancer. This manualized, brief intervention ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2786546

Assessment of the Promoting Resilience in Stress ... This secondary analysis of long-term follow-up data from a randomized clinical trial examines the effectiveness of the Promoting Resilience ...

6. cancer.gov cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials-search/v?id=NCI-2024-07663

Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) for ... Participating in PRISM may improve resilience, distress, hope, and quality of life in young adults with cancer or desmoid tumor. Eligibility Criteria ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10186689/

Protocol for the promoting resilience in stress management ... This study will provide methodologically rigorous data and evidence regarding a novel intervention to promote resilience and reduce distress among AYAs with ...

8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40294356/

Promoting Resilience in Stress Management Promoting Resilience in Stress Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Psychosocial Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults ...

9. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.31666

Promoting resilience in adolescents and young adults with ... Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are at risk for poor psychosocial outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether a novel ...