Developing and Implementing E-psychotherapy Program for Mental Health Challenges in Oncology and Palliative Care
Mental Health Issue, Depression, Anxiety
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Mental Health Issue focused on measuring Mental Health, Virtual Care, Depression, Anxiety, Palliative Care, Psychotherapy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with depressive or anxiety disorder due to another medical condition in the context of cancer or palliative care
- competence to consent and participate
- speak and read English
- consistent and reliable access to the internet
Exclusion Criteria:
- acute hypomanic/manic episodes
- acute psychosis
- severe alcohol or substance use disorder
- active suicidal or homicidal ideation
- received CBT in the past year or are currently receiving CBT
Sites / Locations
- Hotel Dieu HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
e-Psychotherapy
Treatment as Usual
Group will receive 8-week online program including CBT in combination with mindfulness and problem-based therapy in addition to treatment as usual. The content will reflect challenges cancer and palliative patients face through the course of treatment and developed into interactive and engaging therapy modules. All online sessions and interactions will occur through a secure online platform. Pre-designed therapy modules are assigned to the patients, accessible to them at any time throughout the week. Each module consists of approximately 30 slides, which take 45-50 minutes to complete. Each module highlights a different topic and includes general information, an overview of skills, and homework that is to be completed within that week. This homework can be directly submitted through the platform to the clinician who will then provide personalized feed-back to the patient. The average time spent per week by a clinician with a particular patient is about 15 minutes.
The control group will receive treatment as usual in the first 8 weeks; if still significantly symptomatic (less than 50% response to treatment from baseline), they will then be offered the 8-week e-psychotherapy program. They will be instructed to continue with any lifestyle activities (i.e., diet, exercise, medication, etc.)