Meaning-Centered Counseling for Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores a special type of counseling called "Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy," designed to help Chinese cancer patients find purpose and meaning despite advanced cancer. The goal is to adapt this counseling method to better fit the cultural and language needs of Chinese immigrants with advanced cancer living in the U.S. Mandarin-speaking individuals of Chinese descent diagnosed with Stage III or IV cancer and residing in New York State or New Jersey are ideal participants. They will engage in sessions to determine if this tailored counseling can improve emotional well-being. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to culturally sensitive cancer care innovations.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?
The trial does not require you to stop taking your current medications. You can participate as long as you are not currently in psychotherapy, even if you are taking psychotropic medications.
What prior data suggests that this adaptation of Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy is safe for Chinese cancer patients?
Research has shown that Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (IMCP) has been safely adapted for various cultural groups, including the Chinese community. Participants in similar studies have found this type of counseling well-tolerated, with no reports of serious side effects from the therapy itself. The main goal is to help patients find meaning and purpose during their cancer journey, which can reduce emotional stress. This approach has been successfully used with cancer patients before, indicating it is generally safe.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Meaning-Centered Counseling for Chinese patients with advanced cancer because it tailors psychotherapy specifically to cultural and linguistic needs. Unlike standard treatments that may not consider cultural nuances, this approach adapts Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (IMCP) to resonate with the experiences and values of Chinese cancer patients. By focusing on meaning, purpose, and identity, this therapy aims to provide emotional support that is deeply relevant to the patients' cultural context, potentially leading to better psychological outcomes.
What evidence suggests that this adaptation of IMCP could be effective for Chinese cancer patients?
Studies have shown that Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) can help cancer patients find a sense of purpose while managing their illness. This trial adapts the therapy specifically for Chinese patients with advanced cancer, known as Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Chinese (IMCP-Ch). Research indicates that adjusting this therapy to fit cultural needs can greatly benefit Chinese patients. Early results suggest that patients receiving this therapy often experience less distress and improved emotional well-being. This adaptation considers cultural and language differences, enhancing its effectiveness for this specific group. Overall, the therapy aims to improve quality of life by helping patients find meaning despite their diagnosis.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Florence Lui, PhD
Principal Investigator
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Formative Research
Conducting in-depth interviews with Chinese immigrants with advanced cancer to inform the adaptation of the intervention
Adaptation
Discussing and incorporating adaptations to the IMCP intervention to be culturally and linguistically tailored for Chinese cancer patients
Proof-of-concept Pilot Trial
Open feasibility study using a pretest vs. posttest design, delivered via telehealth in Mandarin Chinese or English
Remote Interpretation Feasibility Study
Testing the feasibility and acceptability of using different remote interpreting modalities to deliver IMCP-Ch
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Adaptation of IMCP for Chinese Immigrant Cancer Patients
- In-depth Patient Interviews
- Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Chinese (IMCP-Ch) (For Phase 3)
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
IMCP intervention to be culturally \& linguistically tailored for Chinese cancer patients. This study will be carried out in 3 phases: 1) formative research \& 2) adaptation. For this application we will continue the formative research (phase 1) by conducting 20 to 30 indepth interviews with Chinese immigrants with advanced cancer to inform the adaptation of the intervention. Results of the patient in-depth interviews will inform how to adapt the IMCP process \& session themes to reflect the needs of the community. In the adaptation phase (phase 2) the Breitbart IMCP research team (including Drs. Breitbart, Lichtenthal, \& Applebaum), Drs. Leng, Gany, \& Ms. Huang will discuss a priori adaptations to the intervention. Potential changes to the process \& content will be discussed. Adaptations will be incorporated in a modified IMCP-Ch treatment manual, therapist checklist/outline \& Treatment Integrity Coding Manual. PHASE 3, 4 Conduct feasibility study of IMCP-Ch for Chinese cancer patients.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
MediSys Health Network
Collaborator
American Cancer Society - Asian Initiatives
Collaborator
Chinese Christian Herald Crusades (CCHC)
Collaborator
The City College of New York
Collaborator
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC)
Collaborator
New York Hospital Queens
Collaborator
New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health (NYCAAMH)
Collaborator
Queens Cancer Center of Queens Hospital
Collaborator
Cheung and Kan Medical Group, PLLC
Collaborator
Citations
Adapting Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in Advanced ...
In this study, we conducted a community needs assessment to inform the cultural adaptation of MCP for Chinese patients with advanced cancer.
Meaning-Centered Counseling for Chinese Patients Who ...
The purpose of the study is to modify a type of counseling called "Individual Meaning Centered Psychotherapy" to meet the needs of Chinese cancer patients.
Meaning-Centered Counseling for Chinese Patients Who Are ...
The purpose of the study is to modify a type of counseling called "Individual Meaning Centered Psychotherapy" to meet the needs of Chinese cancer patients.
4.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/316565383_Adapting_Meaning-Centered_Psychotherapy_in_Advanced_Cancer_for_the_Chinese_Immigrant_PopulationAdapting Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in Advanced ...
In this study, we conducted a community needs assessment to inform the cultural adaptation of MCP for Chinese patients with advanced cancer, in ...
5.
bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com
bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-024-12124-3Refinement of a meaning-centered counseling program for ...
This mixed methods study identified needed refinements to a telehealth-delivered cultural and linguistic adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for ...
Developing the meaning-centered program for Chinese ...
Pilot randomized controlled trial of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 30(12), 1304 ...
Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for ...
Researchers in this study would like to learn how to modify meaning-centered counseling sessions to fit the language and culture of the Chinese community. They ...
8.
centerwatch.com
centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT02112188/meaning-centered-counseling-for-chinese-patients-who-are-being-treated-for-advanced-cancerMeaning-Centered Counseling for Chinese Patients Who ...
"Meaning-Centered" counseling aims to teach cancer patients how to maintain or even increase a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives, ...
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