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A randomized controlled trial of a group acceptance-based intervention for cancer survivors experiencing anxiety at
Joanna J Arch1,2, Jill L Mitchell3, Sarah R Genung4
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 345 UCB Muenzinger, Boulder, CO, 80309-0345, USA. Joanna.Arch@Colorado.edu.
Background:
Anxiety is a common concern of cancer survivors during the transition from active cancer treatment to cancer survivorship (the re-entry phase). This paper presents the study protocol for a novel group-based behavioral intervention to improve mental health, well-being, and medical use outcomes among anxious cancer survivors at re-entry.
Methods/Design:
This two-armed, prospective randomized controlled trial will randomize a minimum of 100 re-entry-phase cancer survivors with moderate to high anxiety to the intervention or a usual care control condition. The intervention is delivered in a group format over 7 weeks; content is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based intervention. Participants will be recruited from community cancer care centers and the intervention will be led by the onsite clinical social workers. Participants will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. ACT participants will complete process measures before the beginning of group sessions 2, 4, and 6; all participants will complete the process measures during the regular assessments. The primary outcome is anxiety symptoms; secondary outcomes include anxiety disorder severity, fear of recurrence, depressive symptoms, cancer-related trauma symptoms, sense of life meaning, vitality/fatigue, and medical utilization.
Discussion:
This clinical trial will provide valuable evidence regarding the efficacy of the group ACT intervention in community oncology settings.
Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02550925 .