A randomized controlled trial of a group acceptance-based intervention for cancer survivors experiencing anxiety at re-entry ('Valued Living'): study protocol.
BACKGROUND
Anxiety is a common concern of cancer survivors during the transition from active cancer treatment to cancer survivorship (the re-entry phase). This paper presents the study protocol for a novel group-based behavioral intervention to improve mental health, well-being, and medical use outcomes among anxious cancer survivors at re-entry.


METHODS/DESIGN
This two-armed, prospective randomized controlled trial will randomize a minimum of 100 re-entry-phase cancer survivors with moderate to high anxiety to the intervention or a usual care control condition. The intervention is delivered in a group format over 7 weeks; content is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based intervention. Participants will be recruited from community cancer care centers and the intervention will be led by the onsite clinical social workers. Participants will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. ACT participants will complete process measures before the beginning of group sessions 2, 4, and 6; all participants will complete the process measures during the regular assessments. The primary outcome is anxiety symptoms; secondary outcomes include anxiety disorder severity, fear of recurrence, depressive symptoms, cancer-related trauma symptoms, sense of life meaning, vitality/fatigue, and medical utilization.


DISCUSSION
This clinical trial will provide valuable evidence regarding the efficacy of the group ACT intervention in community oncology settings.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02550925 .
['Arch|Joanna J|JJ|', 'Mitchell|Jill L|JL|', 'Genung|Sarah R|SR|', 'Fisher|Robert|R|', 'Andorsky|David J|DJ|', 'Stanton|Annette L|AL|']
D064869:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy D000223:Adaptation, Psychological D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D001007:Anxiety D000073116:Cancer Survivors D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009369:Neoplasms D011446:Prospective Studies D011788:Quality of Life D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D016896:Treatment Outcome D055815:Young Adult
Cancer Anxiety Cancer survivorship Acceptance Acceptance and commitment therapy Psycho-oncology Psychosocial intervention Supportive care