CALM: Managing Distress in Malignant Brain Cancer

NCT ID: NCT06180460

Last Updated: 2025-10-08

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-11-10

Study Completion Date

2025-09-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to test an empirically supported psychotherapeutic intervention, Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in those with malignant brain cancer diagnoses.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Brain Tumor Brain Metastases Brain Cancer Metastatic Lung Cancer Metastatic Breast Cancer Metastatic Melanoma Metastatic Colon Cancer Metastatic Kidney Cancer

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM)

CALM optimally consists of six individual sessions of 45 to 60 minutes, delivered over a three- to six-month period. CALM sessions address four broad and interrelated domains found to be important and relevant in this population: (1) symptom management and communication with healthcare providers, (2) changes in personal relationships, (3) sense of meaning and purpose, and (4) the future, hope and mortality.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

CALM

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The CALM intervention is a supportive-expressive therapy that is administered by CALM trained clinicians in a particular style.

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Treatment as usual (TAU) for managing distress in brain cancer involves being provided a list of local / national resources (e.g., psychologist, social worker, or other mental health providers) if an individual chooses to seek treatment for the distress they are experiencing.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Treatment as usual

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Treatment as usual includes a list of local / national resources (e.g., psychologist, social worker, or other mental health providers) if an individual chooses to seek treatment for the distress they are experiencing.

Interventions

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CALM

The CALM intervention is a supportive-expressive therapy that is administered by CALM trained clinicians in a particular style.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Treatment as usual

Treatment as usual includes a list of local / national resources (e.g., psychologist, social worker, or other mental health providers) if an individual chooses to seek treatment for the distress they are experiencing.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Self-reported diagnosis of brain metastasis (bMET) or a malignant primary brain tumor (PBT; specifically grade III or IV and CNS diffuse large B cell lymphomas)\*
* At least 2-weeks post-surgical resection or biopsy of the brain (if applicable)
* Score \> 20 on the TICS
* Reported elevated depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) OR death anxiety symptoms (DADDS score ≥ 15)
* Ability to read, speak, and understand English
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria

* Major communication difficulties which would prohibit the psychotherapeutic interaction
* Inability to meet with the interventionist via an electronic device for telehealth intervention sessions
* Inability to understand and provide informed consent
* Prisoners
* Medical, psychological, or social condition that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may increase the participant's risk of adverse events and/or prohibit the individual's participation in the intervention.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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United States Department of Defense

FED

Sponsor Role collaborator

Virginia Commonwealth University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Ashlee Loughan, Ph.D

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Virginia Commonwealth University

Locations

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Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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MCC-23-20816

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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