Expressive Writing for the Management of Stress in Cancer Survivors

Part of paid clinical trials in Houston, Texas.

Sponsor
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Study ID
NCT04776941
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasm
  • Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Behavioral Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
    Read positive messages
  • Behavioral Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
    Write about positive experiences
  • Behavioral Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
    Write about neutral topics
  • Behavioral Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
    Read neutral messages
  • Quality-of-Life Assessment — OTHER
    Ancillary studies
  • Questionnaire Administration — OTHER
    Complete questionnaires

Study Details

This clinical trial evaluates the effect of expressive writing for the management of stress in cancer survivors. Cancer diagnosis and treatment are associated with increased stress in cancer survivors related to concerns about family, career, relationships, finances, side effects of treatment, and death. This stress can be further exacerbated by social upheavals such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For safety reasons, many patients are isolated with restricted access to in-person health care and reduced social interaction with family and friends. Together with the economic uncertainties that come with this pandemic, these factors are likely to increase cancer survivors' stress levels. Expressive writing may provide a medium through which cancer survivors confront stressors and find meaning in their experience. The goal of this trial is to learn more about the experiences of cancer survivors during stressful times.

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 7, 2020
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2028
Completion
Dec 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
414 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: Arm I (questionnaires, messages, writing)
    Patients complete questionnaires over 30 minutes about their mood, health, and income at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months. Patients also read brief positive messages and write essays about their experiences over 30 minutes (non-stop) QW for 3 weeks.
  • Active Comparator: Arm II (questionnaires, messages, writing)
    Patients complete questionnaires over 30 minutes about their mood, health, and income at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months. Patients also read brief neutral messages and write essays about neutral topics over 30 minutes (non-stop) QW for 3 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measure

Participant response rate [ Time Frame: 1 month ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
M D Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexas77030
Qian Lu
[email protected]
713-745-8324
Qian Lu (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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M D Anderson Cancer Center· Houston, TX

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