Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) Therapy in Individuals Diagnosed With a Primary Central Nervous System Tumor

Detailed Summary

Background: Psychological distress affects many people diagnosed with a primary central nervous system tumor (CNST). Distress can include negative feelings such as anger, fear, or sadness. Researchers want to see if a type of therapy called Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) can help. It promotes well-being in people who have cancer that cannot be cured. Objective: To find out if the CALM therapy can help people with a CNST suffering from distress. Eligibility: English-speaking adults ages 18 and older who have a CNST and are taking part in NIH protocol #16C0151. Design: This study will not take place in person. It will be done by smartphone, computer, or tablet. Participants will fill out 7 surveys. The surveys will take 40 to 60 minutes to complete. They are all electronic. They will ask about physical and emotional symptoms, depression, feelings about death and dying, feelings about close relationships, and general well-being. Participants will be assigned to a CALM therapist. They will have 3 to 6 individual therapy sessions in 6 months. Each session will last 45 to 60 minutes. Sessions may be audio recorded. If needed, participants may have extra sessions. CALM includes symptom management and discussions of meaning, purpose, and mortality. Participants may have a family member take part in at least one CALM session with them. After the third CALM session, participants will be asked questions about CALM. After 3 and 6 months, participants will complete the 7 surveys again. Participation will last about 6 months.

Study Details

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Interventions