Tailoring interpersonal psychotherapy to psycho-oncology patients (TIPTOP): feasibility study protocol

Area of Science:

• Psycho-oncology
• Psychotherapy research
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Cancer patients often experience comorbid depression, requiring tailored psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) offers a framework focusing on life events, change management, and social support, suitable for the cancer context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a modified group IPT for adult cancer patients in an outpatient university clinic setting.
• To gather preliminary evidence on the intervention's efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms.
• To explore changes in interpersonal factors like loneliness, belonging, burdensomeness, and social support.

Main Methods:

• A 10-week group IPT intervention adapted for oncology, delivered in 60-minute weekly sessions.
• Modules focus on core IPT themes: role transitions, grief, connection, and interpersonal conflict.
• A feasibility study with an integrated qualitative component, including post-intervention semi-structured interviews for content analysis.

Main Results:

• The study aims to provide initial evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the modified group IPT.
• Preliminary data will indicate the intervention's potential to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients.
• Changes in interpersonal factors will be assessed to understand the broader impact of the intervention.

Conclusions:

• The findings will inform whether modified group IPT is a viable and safe approach for ameliorating depression in cancer patients.
• This innovative treatment is designed for diverse cancer types and stages within a realistic psycho-oncology service setting.