Can a Stress-Management program help young cancer patients cope?

NCT ID NCT06502483

Symptom relief Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a program called PRISM (Promoting Resilience in Stress Management) could help young adults aged 18-39 who have cancer or desmoid tumors manage anxiety and depression. The program teaches skills like stress management, goal setting, and positive thinking. The study included 13 participants and focused on whether the program was feasible and acceptable, not on whether it actually reduces symptoms.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) Program
What this could lead to: If this program proves helpful, it could offer a practical way to reduce anxiety and depression in young adults coping with cancer.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early feasibility study with only 13 participants. It was not designed to prove the program works, only that it can be delivered and accepted.

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

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

13 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Sep 2024

Finished

Feb 2026

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 39 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria for Participants: 1. 18-39 years of age 2. Speak and comprehend English sufficiently to be able to complete study procedures and participate in the program in English\* 3. Have been diagnosed with cancer or desmoid tumor at least 6 or more weeks ago 4. Currently receiving treatment or has completed treatment for cancer or desmoid tumor no more than 6 months ago 5. Score 10-24 (with question #9 not endorsed, or 0) on the PHQ-9 (Kroenke et al., 1999) or/and score 10-21 on the GAD-7 (Spitzer et al., 2006) during the initial screening assessment. Participant Exclusion Criteria: 1. Adults unable to consent, individuals who are not yet adults (age \<18), pregnant women, and prisoners. 2. Individuals who score less than 10 on both PHQ-9 and GAD-7. 3. Individuals who are diagnosed with cancer less than 6 weeks at the time of screening (we will be able to approach them again after 6 weeks since diagnosis has passed), or those who completed treatment more than 6 months ago will also be ineligible for this study; they will be offered resources for support, if desired. 5\) Individuals who report any suicidality (ideation, plan, and/or intent) on PHQ-9 screen (i.e., endorse anything more than 0 for question #9) at the time of the eligibility screening will also be excluded from the current study, and the appropriate safety measures and/or referral to a mental health provider will be made (see section 14.1 for more details on the procedure). Inclusion Criteria for Support Person: -≥ 18 years of age -A friend or family member invited by the study participant to join the 6th PRISM session

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder cancer Depression depressive disorder desmoid tumor neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Anxiety Anxiety disorders Cancer diagnosis Depression Depression, anxiety Depressive disorder Desmoid Non-metastatic neoplasm

Can a Stress-Management program help young cancer patients cope?

What the study statuses mean