The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions in Psycho-neuroendocrine-immune Network in Breast Cancer Survivors

NCT ID: NCT05406531

Last Updated: 2023-10-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

440 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-06-06

Study Completion Date

2025-06-30

Brief Summary

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In this study researchers will examine an influence of three different psychological interventions in the form of mobile application on psycho-neuroendocrine-immune system among breast cancer survivors.

Detailed Description

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Background:

Most studies focusing on the effects of psychological interventions on health-related outcomes have relied on self-reports. There is also growing research interest in the effects of such interventions on directly measurable biological processes associated with chronic stress. Neuroendocrine-immune system interactions are fundamental tools through which stress affects the course of cancer. The study will examine effect of three psychological interventions on most frequently studied stress related biomarkers: cortisol, HRV (heart- rate variability), CRP, relative and absolute counts of: B-lymphocytes ,T-lymphocytes, NK-cells, NK-T-like cells, monocytes; cytokine levels. Although current research suggests salutogenic changes in the immune profile of cancer patients as a result of psychological interventions, the results of individual studies are still inconsistent. To get clearer outcomes researchers decided to follow recommendations for researchers in manner that optimizes study design: to recruit very homogenous sample of cancer patients, to continue measurements in 3 and 9 months follow up, to collect data on individual´s adherence to protocol of mobile application.1,2 In addition to biomarkers, researchers will monitor changes in psychological variables.

Aims of the project and main hypotheses:

1. To test the long-term and short-term effectiveness of eHealth adaptations of three standardized mental health support programmes for cancer patients (MBCT-Ca, PP and AT) - administered through the mobile application MOÚ MindCare, in reducing psychological distress and preventing changes in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system and immune system that have been linked to chronic stress and are likely to have a negative impact on both mental and physical health in the long-term perspective if not managed. The investigators expect that participants in all three intervention group will show more adaptive psychological functioning, higher quality of life, lower levels of stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances and other common problems associated with breast cancer survivorship, higher HRV levels and lower cortisol levels as compared to the treatment-as-usual control group, when controlling for pre-intervention values. The investigators also expect group differences in immune system functioning, correlated with differences in other markers of stress.
2. To compare the potentially differential effects of the three intervention programmes on biological and psychological indicators of stress and quality of life. The investigators tentatively expect programmes involving a cognitive component (MBCT-Ca and PP) to be more effective than AT, especially for psychological outcomes.
3. To examine the extent to which the observed effects of each programme are mediated by characteristics the interventions are primarily expected to influence. The investigators expect the effect of MBCT to be primarily mediated by mindfulness, self-compassion and emotion regulation, and the effect of PP to be primarily mediated by self-compassion, gratitude and perceived hope.
4. To evaluate the moderating roles of intervention adherence and perceived acceptability in the effectiveness of the intervention programmes. The investigators expect higher adherence and acceptability to be associated with greater improvement in the outcome variables. These data will also help identify types of individuals for whom each programme might be most and least suitable and provide information on sources of potential problems with MOÚ MindCare - or generally mHealth - intervention adherence.

Methods:

The research is conceptualized as a randomized control trial employing a 4 × 4 factorial design. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the four arms: 1. MBCT-Ca (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer) 2. PP (Positive Psychology) 3. AT (Autogenic training) 4.WL (Waiting list). Participants will take the 8 week online program via mobile application. Assessment measurements will be collected in four phases. Phase 1: Assessment at the start of the programme. Phase 2: Assessment in the week after programme completion. Phase 3: Follow-up assessment 3 months after the end of programme. Phase 4: Follow-up assessment 9 months after the end of programme. Data collection will contained: collection of blood samples, single lead ECG, administration of self-report measures. Main data collection points will be synchronized with regular check-ups for each participant to minimize drop-out rates and the burden on the participants.

Conditions

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Breast Cancer Female Breast Cancer Stage I Breast Cancer Stage II Breast Cancer Stage III

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-Ca) - online

MBCT-Ca uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methods in collaboration with mindfulness meditative practices and similar psychological strategies.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-Ca) - online

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention can be adapted into low-intensity structured program, suitable for eHealth mental health support applications for individual use without the need of direct involvement of a trained mental health professional.

Positive Psychology - online

Positive psychology is focused on the character strengths and behaviors that allow individuals to build a life of meaning and purpose.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Positive Psychology - online

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention can be adapted into low-intensity structured program, suitable for eHealth mental health support applications for individual use without the need of direct involvement of a trained mental health professional.

Autogenic Training - online

Autogenic training is a relaxation technique focusing on promoting feelings of calm and relaxation to help reduce stress and anxieties.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Autogenic Training - online

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention can be adapted into low-intensity structured program, suitable for eHealth mental health support applications for individual use without the need of direct involvement of a trained mental health professional.

Waiting list

No intervention.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-Ca) - online

This intervention can be adapted into low-intensity structured program, suitable for eHealth mental health support applications for individual use without the need of direct involvement of a trained mental health professional.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Positive Psychology - online

This intervention can be adapted into low-intensity structured program, suitable for eHealth mental health support applications for individual use without the need of direct involvement of a trained mental health professional.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Autogenic Training - online

This intervention can be adapted into low-intensity structured program, suitable for eHealth mental health support applications for individual use without the need of direct involvement of a trained mental health professional.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Women over the age of 18
* Breast cancer patients at the end of adjuvant treatment

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients without a mobil device ("smart" mobile phone)
* Patients without internet access
* Patients with diagnosed: psychotic disorder; severe depressive episode; panic disorder; bipolar disorder; personality disorder associated with uncontrollable mood swings; PTSD; suicidal attempts and active suicidal ideation; disability pension due to non-specific mental or somatic problems; hospitalization due to a psychiatric disorder in the past year
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Masaryk University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Miroslav Světlák

Department head (Department of Psychology and Psychosomatics MUNI)

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Miroslav Světlák, PhD.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Masaryk University

Locations

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Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University

Brno, Bohunice, Czechia

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Czechia

Central Contacts

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Miroslav Světlák, PhD.

Role: CONTACT

+420 549 49 1372

Jana Halámková, PhD.

Role: CONTACT

+420 549 49 3759

Facility Contacts

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Mirek Světlák, PhD.

Role: primary

549491372

References

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Sanada K, Alda Diez M, Salas Valero M, Perez-Yus MC, Demarzo MM, Montero-Marin J, Garcia-Toro M, Garcia-Campayo J. Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on biomarkers in healthy and cancer populations: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Feb 23;17(1):125. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1638-y.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28231775 (View on PubMed)

Black DS, Slavich GM. Mindfulness meditation and the immune system: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016 Jun;1373(1):13-24. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12998. Epub 2016 Jan 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26799456 (View on PubMed)

Heiss S, Vaschillo B, Vaschillo EG, Timko CA, Hormes JM. Heart rate variability as a biobehavioral marker of diverse psychopathologies: A review and argument for an "ideal range". Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Feb;121:144-155. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.004. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33309905 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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AZV2022

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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