New program aims to ease emotional toll of ALS for patients and families
NCT ID NCT06968468
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a mind-body program designed to help people recently diagnosed with ALS and their caregivers manage emotional distress. About 20 patient-caregiver pairs will try a 6-session coping intervention. The main goal is to see if the program is practical and well-liked, not to cure ALS.
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 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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May 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
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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18 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria for patient with ALS: * recent (within \~2 months) of first appointment at Healey Center for diagnosis of ALS documented in Epic (based on recommendations from neurologists) * ability to understand the study and research protocol as determined by a standardized teach-back method of assessment * ability to communicate by writing, speaking, or assistive communication device Inclusion Criteria for dyad: * English speaking adults * dyad lives together * at least one partner endorses clinically significant emotional distress during screening (\>7 on either subscale of the HADS) Exclusion Criteria: * patient with ALS with comorbid terminal diagnosis or severe mental health disorder that limits ability to participate (by self-report, as determined by our clinical team); * cognitive disorder that limits ability to participate (per neurologist) * inability or unwillingness to use live video technology (will teach any dyads who have low technology literacy how to use live video technology)
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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
1 site. 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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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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