Recruiting

Psychotherapy Intervention

Sponsor:

Massachusetts General Hospital

Code:

NCT06172907

Conditions

Cancer

Survivorship

Caregiver Burden

Psychological Distress

Coping Skills

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 25 - 39

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a brief psychotherapy intervention to improve psychosocial coping and maintain couple relationships among young adults (aged 25-39) with cancer and their caregiving partners.

Conditions

Cancer

Survivorship

Caregiver Burden

Psychological Distress

Coping Skills

Study ID

NCT06172907

Start date

Apr 19, 2024

Status verified date

Dec, 2025

Completion date

Dec, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jun, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 25 - 39

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Either: (1) Currently receiving active cancer treatment (n=5) or are within two years of completing active treatment (n=5) at Massachusetts General Cancer Center (MGHCC), located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, OR (2) are the partner of an individual between the ages of 25-39 who is currently receiving treatment at MGHCC (n=5) or who has completed cancer treatment at MGHCC within the past two years (n=5)
  • Either: (1) Indicates a score ≥4 on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) adapted distress thermometer study screening questions, OR (2) are the partner of a participant indicating a score ≥4 on the NCCN adapted distress thermometer study screening questions
  • English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled psychosis, active suicidal ideation, or cognitive impairment

Study Design

Enrollment

20 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

other: Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention

Young adults with cancer and their partner-caregivers will attend dyadic virtual psychotherapy sessions lasting 45-60 minutes on a weekly basis for eight weeks.

Interventions

Young Adults Coping with Cancer Together Intervention

This intervention is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and couples' therapy. It aims to improve cancer and caregiving-related self-efficacy and coping, as well as promote relationship maintenance in context of cancer. The intervention will be delivered by a trained mental health practitioner and include didactics, experiential exercises, and home practice.

Primary outcome measure

  • Feasibility of Intervention [ Time Frame: 14 +/- 2 Weeks ]
  • Acceptability of Intervention [ Time Frame: 14 +/- 2 Weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Jamie M Jacobs, Ph.D.

617-643-1777jjacobs@mgh.harvard.edu

Zeba N Ahmad, Ph.D.

617-724-1586zahmad2@mgh.harvard.edu

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Recruiting

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114

Principal Investigator:

Jamie M Jacobs, PhD

Emerson Hospital/MGH Cancer Center

Recruiting

Concord, Massachusetts, United States, 01742

Principal Investigator:

Jamie M Jacobs, PhD

Mass General at North Shore Cancer Center

Recruiting

Danvers, Massachusetts, United States, 01923

Principal Investigator:

Jamie M Jacobs, PhD

Mass General at Newton Wellesley Hospital

Recruiting

Newton, Massachusetts, United States, 02462

Principal Investigator:

Jamie M Jacobs, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Last update posted

Jan 12, 2026

Last verified

Dec, 2025

Keywords

  • Young Adult Cancer
  • Cancer Caregiving

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Massachusetts General Hospital on 2026-01-12.