Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Support of Psychological Distress in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Purpose

This clinical trial evaluates the how well a virtually delivered solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT-C) works to decrease adolescent and young adult cancer survivors' psychological distress in comparison to enhanced treatment-as-usual care. Cancer and its treatment can have immediate and long-term impacts on adolescent and young adult cancer survivor's lives, including education and employment, financial stability, sexual health, and social, romantic, and family relationships. Consequently, many adolescent and young adult cancer survivors report psychological distress, often manifesting as depression and anxiety, and may benefit from psychotherapy to improve their engagement with medical treatment and overall quality of life. SFBT-C is a theory-driven and brief hope-based psychotherapy designed for the unique psychosocial needs facing adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Undergoing SFBT-C may work better than treatment-as-usual care for the support of psychological distress in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Conditions

  • Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm
  • Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 15 Years and 39 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • 15 - 39 years old - Diagnosed with cancer - Receiving active cancer care (6 weeks post initial diagnosis to control for emotional responses to normative stressors) or within 5 years of post-treatment survivorship - Experiencing psychological distress (i.e., a t-score >= 57 on the Brief Symptom Inventory - 18 items [BSI-18]) - Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria

  • End-of-life care - > 5 years into the post-treatment survivorship - Major physical challenges (e.g., hearing loss, developmental delay) - Acute mental health conditions (e.g., active psychosis, suicide risk) - Receiving or newly initiated psychotherapy for psychological distress during the study period

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Supportive Care (eTAU) 		Patients receive eTAU and receive an educational book to address emotional challenges associated with cancer and strategies and resources to address these challenges over 4-8 weeks on study. Additionally, patients receive check in calls from clinicians QW to answer any questions patients may have about the book.
  • Other: Best Practice
    Receive eTAU
    Other names:
    • standard of care
    • standard therapy
  • Other: Communication Intervention
    Receive check in calls from clinician
  • Other: Health Promotion and Education
    Receive educational book
  • Other: Questionnaire Administration
    Ancillary studies
Experimental
Supportive Care (SFBT-C) 		Patients undergo virtual SFBT sessions over 30 minutes each QW over 4-8 weeks on study. Patients also receive an educational manual and participate in discussions after each session on study.
  • Behavioral: Behavioral Intervention
    Undergo SFBT-C
    Other names:
    • Behavior Conditioning Therapy
    • Behavior Modification
    • Behavior or Life Style Modifications
    • Behavior Therapy
    • Behavioral Interventions
    • Behavioral Modification
    • Behavioral Therapy
    • Behavioral Treatment
    • Behavioral Treatments
  • Other: Discussion
    Participate in discussions
    Other names:
    • Discuss
  • Other: Health Promotion and Education
    Receive educational manual
  • Other: Interview
    Ancillary studies
  • Other: Questionnaire Administration
    Ancillary studies

Recruiting Locations

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Contact:
Cancer AnswerLine
800-865-1125
CancerAnswerLine@med.umich.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Study Contact

Cancer AnswerLine
1-800-865-1125
CancerAnswerLine@med.umich.edu

Detailed Description

07JUL2026- Amendment approved updating the study PI to Dr. Sunnye Mayes.