Primary Objectives: Mindsets have been rigorously studied in the domains of development, education, and more recently, in health and disease. However, there are no large-scale longitudinal studies of the mindsets held by cancer patients and how they may affect treatment outcomes, physical health, and psychological well-being. This randomized, single-blind, treatment-as-usual (TAU) control study aims to assess (1) mindsets at four time points spanning from the point of diagnosis to six weeks post-treatment to patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment with curative intent, and (2) the impact of a brief but targeted mindset intervention to help instill more useful mindsets about the nature of cancer and the role of the body on patient reported measures of physical and psychological health. This study aims to add to the existing literature on psychosocial interventions for cancer patients and survivors while addressing the substantial time and cost limitations of traditional interventions. It also contributes to the body of research indicating that mindsets play an important role in both health and wellbeing. Secondary Objectives: This study has two secondary objectives. First, we aim to determine the impact of patient mindsets on measures of treatment (treatment efficacy and treatment related adverse events) and psychosocial health (stress, coping, mood, emotions). Second, we aim to understand the relationship between patient mindsets and biomarkers of immune and inflammatory processes in patients undergoing cancer treatment
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Mindset Intervention will include watching three brief \~10-25 minute films
Reflection activity include exercises to internalize the message
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States
Quality of Life Survey
Quality of life will be assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G), a widely used patient reported health outcome measure. The FACT-G consists of 27 questions. Each question is answered on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). Higher scores on the FACT-G indicate better quality of life. Questions fall into four subscales measuring four domains of quality of life: physical wellbeing (7 questions), social/family well-being (7 questions), emotional well-being (6 questions), and functional well-being (7-questions).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Measuring mindsets
Patient mindsets will be measured using the Illness Mindset Inventory (IMI). The IMI is a 20-item measure of mindsets about chronic illness. The Cancer version of the IMI consists of two subscales: mindsets about the nature of cancer and mindsets about the role of the body. Each item is rated on a 6 point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (6).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Fear of Cancer Recurrence
Fear of Cancer Recurrence will be measured using the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS). The CWS is a 6-item measure that assesses worry about the risk of developing cancer in cancer survivors. All items use a 4-point scale of frequency, ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (almost all the time). The CWS will be measured at only one time-point (CP-7), 6 weeks after the completion of treatment
Time frame: 6 weeks
Biomarker Analyses
Blood samples will be analyzed for the following biomarkers of interest. * C-reactive protein (CRP) * -6 / Interleukin (IL) IL-8 * Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Measuring stress with cancer
Stress will be measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). This 10-item measure is the most commonly used measure of perceptions of stress.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Measuring coping with cancer
Coping will be measured using the Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI). The CBI is a 27-item measure of self-efficacy for coping with cancer.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Measuring affect with cancer
Affect will be measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). The PANAS is a 20 item scale measuring positive and negative affect.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Measuring emotional regulation with cancer
Emotion Regulation will be measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The ERQ is a 10-item self-report scale designed to measure use of strategies to alter emotion: reappraisal of cognitions and suppression of expressions.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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