Feasibility and Acceptability of a Novel Couple-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
University of Colorado, Denver
Summary
The overall objective of this study is to learn whether a newly developed couple-based mindfulness program (Mindful PaCT) is practical to complete (feasible), helpful and well-received (acceptable), and relevant for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and their partners.
Description
Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) causes significant distress in patients and partners. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can reduce distress but existing MBIs have limitations for mCRC couples. An MBI tailored to mCRC couples' needs and delivered via video-conferencing could remedy such limitations and reduce distress in this population. This new intervention, called Mindful PaCT, has been preliminarily developed and now needs to be assessed for feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary psychosocial effects.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision to sign and date the consent form. * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study. * Be aged \> 18 years to 85. * Fluent in English language. All study materials, including the informed consent form, participant workbooks, and questionnaires, are currently available only in English. Participation requires the ability to independently read and engage with written study materials (including the participant workbook), which are integral to the intervention session content and home practices. Therefore, indiv…
Interventions
- BehavioralCouple-based Mindfulness Intervention
Mindful PaCT is a manualized, couple-based mindfulness intervention designed to reduce distress and strengthen coping among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and their partners. The intervention includes four weekly, 60- to 75-minute sessions delivered to each patient-partner dyad via secure videoconferencing by a trained interventionist. Sessions address four core mindfulness competencies: awareness, acceptance, compassion, and connection. Intervention content includes mindfulness-based education, guided experiential exercises, and skill-building activities designed to support individual and relational coping and adjustment in the context of advanced cancer. Couples receive a workbook containing session materials and access to supplemental audio and video recordings of guided mindfulness practices to support between-session practice and continued skill development.
- BehavioralHealth and Wellness Education Control Condition
Wellness PaCT is a manualized, couple-based educational intervention designed as an active, attention-matched control condition for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and their partners. The intervention includes four weekly, 60- to 75-minute sessions delivered to each patient-partner dyad via secure videoconferencing by a trained interventionist. Each session focuses on a wellness topic relevant to coping with metastatic colorectal cancer: general wellness, sleep and fatigue, diet and nutrition, and exercise and physical activity. Intervention content includes health education and structured activities intended to support healthy lifestyle behaviors in the context of advanced cancer. Couples receive a workbook containing session materials and access to supplemental educational resources to support continued learning between sessions.
Location
- University of Colorado HospitalAurora, Colorado