Grant Details
Grant Number: |
5R01CA244172-05 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Smith, Sophia |
Organization: |
Duke University |
Project Title: |
Using a Smart Design to Optimize Ptsd Symptom Management Strategies Among Cancer Survivors |
Fiscal Year: |
2024 |
Abstract
Project Summary/Abstract
Cancer survivors often suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as a result of their cancer
diagnosis and treatment, which impair health outcomes such as quality of life (QOL). Although traditional
office-based cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) are effective, cancer survivors often lack access due to cost
and distance barriers. At highest risk for persistent or worsening PTSD symptoms are low-income and/or
nonwhite cancer survivors who received hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) as part of an aggressive
cancer treatment. Mobile Health (mHealth) programs are increasingly used to facilitate access to CBT; some
are self-guided and others require individualized, more intensive videoconferenced sessions with therapists.
Hence, a continuum of mHealth CBT-based (mCBT) solutions with differing levels of intensity is available to
support cancer survivors with PTSD symptoms. “Right-sizing” treatment ensures optimal benefit without
wasting resources such as patient time and healthcare costs.
This grant application aims to answer the question: What is the right intervention solution for this cancer
survivor at risk for, or suffering from, PTSD symptoms? We propose to construct and refine an adaptive
(individually-tailored) mHealth approach for managing symptoms of PTSD in cancer survivors who recently
completed autologous or allogeneic HCT therapy, including those who are most at risk for poor outcomes and
have the greatest opportunity to benefit. Our research team is comprised of national leaders in the area,
including the investigators who have defined the problem as well as devised potential mCBT solutions. One of
these solutions is Cancer Distress Coach, a mobile application developed in partnership with the National
Center for PTSD, as an effective self-management tool for addressing symptoms. It will be used with more
intensive mCBT therapies that require individualized sessions with therapists to address these study aims: 1)
Evaluate the effectiveness of Cancer Distress Coach relative to a control in reducing PTSD symptoms among
HCT cancer survivors; 2) Assess treatment regimens embedded in the trial design for PTSD symptom
reduction; and 3) Estimate tailored treatment regimens for PTSD and related outcomes that generate
hypotheses about if, and how treatment should be tailored. These aims address symptom management - one
of ten National Cancer Moonshort Initiative recommendations – and the underserved have the greatest
opportunity for benefit.
Methods include using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to establish decision
rules regarding when and in what way to intensify treatment for HCT cancer survivors (n=400) with Cancer
Distress Coach and a more intensive mCBT. Electronic data collection surveys will be used and clickstream
data captured to examine usage.
Publications
Assessing the utility of the PC-PTSD-5 as a screening tool among a cancer survivor sample.
Authors: Smith S.K.
, Manschot C.
, Kuhn E.
, Laber E.
, Somers T.J.
, Syrjala K.L.
, Applebaum A.J.
.
Source: Cancer, 2024-08-14; , .
EPub date: 2024-08-14.
PMID: 39141666
Related Citations
Mobile cognitive behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress: Diving back in after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Authors: Mitchell H.R.
, Smith S.K.
, Gebert R.
, Applebaum A.J.
.
Source: Psycho-oncology, 2022 Oct; 31(10), p. 1802-1805.
EPub date: 2022-09-09.
PMID: 36050923
Related Citations
A SMART approach to optimizing delivery of an mHealth intervention among cancer survivors with posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Authors: Smith S.K.
, Somers T.J.
, Kuhn E.
, Laber E.
, Sung A.D.
, Syrjala K.L.
, Feger B.
, Kelleher S.A.
, Majestic C.
, Gebert R.
, et al.
.
Source: Contemporary clinical trials, 2021 Nov; 110, p. 106569.
EPub date: 2021-09-16.
PMID: 34536584
Related Citations