Could a simple activity-based therapy lift depression in older cancer survivors?
NCT ID NCT07768449
First seen Aug 17, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether a short psychotherapy called brief behavioral activation (BBA) can reduce depression and anxiety and improve well-being in older adults who have survived cancer. BBA encourages people to set goals and engage in enjoyable or rewarding activities to change behavior and lift mood. Participants receive the therapy remotely by phone or video, and researchers compare their progress with those who do not receive it.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- brief behavioral activation (BBA) psychotherapy delivered remotely by phone or video
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a practical, remote therapy to improve mood and quality of life for older cancer survivors.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is early and results may not apply to all survivors. Depression symptoms vary, and not everyone may respond to this approach.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 454 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * As per self-report or medical record, ≥65 years old * As per self-report or medical record, has a history of cancer * As per medical record and/or self-report: * currently with no evidence of disease (NED) AND/OR * 6 months or more post-treatment * Fluent in English or Spanish, as per self-reported fluency of "well" or "very well"\* * As per self-report, able to communicate over video-conference and/or phone for sessions * Elevated score on the PHQ-9: ≥8 (N/A for Training Case participants) * Received a Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Scale (BOMC) score of ≤ 11 (N/A for Training Case participants) Exclusion Criteria: * As per PI determination, requires a higher level of care for current passive or active suicidal ideation than current protocol is able to provide. If a participant receives a score of \> 0 on item 9 of the PHQ-9, they will be referred to study PI for further evaluation using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR) (MSK Standard) to determine level of risk;. Only those with active suicidal ideation will be excluded and referred to a higher level of care. * As per self-report or as documented in the medical record, current untreated (e.g., no medication, no therapy) major psychotic disorder (schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Patients diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder will be reviewed by the study PI to determine eligibility prior to consent. * As per self-report or medical record, currently taking antidepressant medication for \< 3 month * As per self-report, engagement in regular individual psychotherapeutic support that the participant is unable or unwilling to put on hold for the course of the study * \[MSK patients only\] As per medical record, patient has impaired decision-making capacity * Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by research staff to verify English or Spanish fluency necessary for participation in the study: 1. How well do you speak English/ Spanish? (must respond "Well" or "Very well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused) 2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English or Spanish)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
7 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10065, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk- Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGCommack, New York, 11725, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering at Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGBasking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering at Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGMontvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering at Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGMiddletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering at Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGUniondale, New York, 11553, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering at Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGHarrison, New York, 10604, United States
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