Feasibility of CALM in Patients With Ovarian Cancer

NCT ID: NCT06459271

Last Updated: 2025-12-16

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-06-10

Study Completion Date

2026-08-10

Brief Summary

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The goal of this feasibility trial is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a brief evidence-based psychotherapeutic intervention, Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM), at the time of a new diagnosis and recurrence of ovarian cancer (OC).

The main questions are:

1. Is it feasible and acceptable to implement CALM for patients with newly diagnosed or recently recurred advanced OC
2. What are the prevalence and correlates of traumatic stress symptoms at baseline in patients with newly diagnosed or recently recurred advanced OC

Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires at baseline and at 3 and 6 months following a diagnosis or recurrence of stage III or IV OC. Participants will also be invited to participate in 3-6 sessions of CALM therapy.

Detailed Description

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While CALM has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing depression, death anxiety and increasing preparation for end of life among patients with advanced cancer later in the illness trajectory, its feasibility and effectiveness in addressing traumatic stress symptoms (TSS) soon after a diagnosis of advanced cancer has not previously been established. Findings of this study could inform the potential development of a larger randomized effectiveness trial. This study will involve a multi-method, single-arm, feasibility trial, approaching a total of 100 OC patients (50 newly diagnosed and 50 recently recurred) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM). Measurements will be administered at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Participants who declined to participate in the intervention will be invited to share their reasons for opting out, contributing valuable insights to our records. A subset of purposefully sampled participants will also complete qualitative interviews following the completion of outcome measures at 6 months.

Conditions

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Patient Satisfaction Ovarian Cancer

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

All participants (patients with newly diagnosed and recently recurred ovarian cancer) will receive the intervention.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Newly Diagnosed + Recently Recurred

n = 50 patients with ovarian cancer (stage III or IV) will be enrolled in the study (25 newly diagnosed and 25 recently recurred).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM)

Intervention Type OTHER

Our team has developed a brief, manualized, individual and couple-based psychotherapeutic intervention for patients living with advanced cancer and their primary caregivers called Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM). CALM is a brief supportive-expressive therapy consisting of 3-6 sessions of 30-60 minutes delivered over the course of 3-6 months. This tailored therapy is focused on the most common challenges and concerns facing individuals living with advanced cancer. These four broad content domains are: 1) symptom management and communication with healthcare providers; 2) changes in self and in relationships with close others; 3) sense of meaning and purpose in life; and 4) hopes and fears about the future and mortality. The aim is to offer patients and caregivers reflective space and a supportive environment to reflect on and process the various practical and profound aspects of their life while facing advanced illness.

Interventions

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Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM)

Our team has developed a brief, manualized, individual and couple-based psychotherapeutic intervention for patients living with advanced cancer and their primary caregivers called Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM). CALM is a brief supportive-expressive therapy consisting of 3-6 sessions of 30-60 minutes delivered over the course of 3-6 months. This tailored therapy is focused on the most common challenges and concerns facing individuals living with advanced cancer. These four broad content domains are: 1) symptom management and communication with healthcare providers; 2) changes in self and in relationships with close others; 3) sense of meaning and purpose in life; and 4) hopes and fears about the future and mortality. The aim is to offer patients and caregivers reflective space and a supportive environment to reflect on and process the various practical and profound aspects of their life while facing advanced illness.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* new diagnosis or recurrence of stage III or stage IV OC;
* age ≥18 years
* able to complete outcome measures and engage in CALM in English.

Exclusion Criteria

* evidence of cognitive impairment indicated in the medical record, communicated by the OC clinic team, or determined by research staff at recruitment;
* receiving psychological or psychiatric counseling from the Department of Supportive Care at PM at the time of recruitment.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

University Health Network, Toronto

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Gary M Rodin, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Health Network, Toronto

Locations

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Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Canada

Central Contacts

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Megan A George, BSc

Role: CONTACT

6475463114

Anne Rydall, MSc

Role: CONTACT

416-910-7349

Facility Contacts

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Gary M Rodin, MD FRCPC

Role: primary

Anne Rydall, MSc

Role: backup

416-910-7349

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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23-5885

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id