Colon Cancer, Depression, Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prostate Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
Depression, Psychotherapy, Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colon Cancer, Prostate Cancer
Brief summary
There is now overwhelming evidence documenting the efficacy of psychotherapy in the treatment of depression in the general population. Surprisingly, however, given the high prevalence of depression in cancer patients, there are very few studies on the efficacy of psychotherapy in this population. Published studies of psychotherapy in cancer patients generally include patients with high heterogeneity of psychiatric diagnosis and frequently include patients without a psychiatric diagnosis, with the aim of preventing the appearance of a psychiatric disorder. This heterogeneity complicates the interpretation of the efficacy and specificity of these interventions. Specifically, the efficacy of psychotherapy for major depression in patients with cancer is unknown.
Detailed description
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a brief, manualized therapy that has shown efficacy in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in several controlled trials. This study will test the efficacy of IPT in a group of prostate, colorectal, lung and pancreatic cancer patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. We will test the efficacy of IPT using a variety of outcome measures at different time points of the treatment. Those scales will evaluate the patient's depressive symptoms, psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Patients that are deemed eligible for the study will have IPT for twelve weeks. Patients will receive twelve 50-minute sessions over 16 weeks. To facilitate access to treatment, sessions 1,2,3,4, 8 and 12 will be in person, while all others will in be person or over the telephone according to the patient's choice. Sessions will be audiotaped and periodically reviewed by experienced supervisors to assess therapist's adherence to IPT technique. This taping will be optional and is covered in a separate consent form. This pilot study is to prove feasibility and acceptability of IPT in this population and to show preliminary efficacy.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPsychotherapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder.
Sponsors
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* A primary psychiatric diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder as defined by DSM-IV * Diagnosis of prostate, colorectal, lung or pancreatic cancer (stage 1-4) * A score of 16 or above in the 17-item HAM-D (Hamilton depression scale) * Male or female ages 18-75. * Ability to give consent * English and/ or Spanish Speaking
Exclusion criteria
* Lifetime history of psychosis or bipolar disorder * History of substance abuse or dependence in the three months prior to the study. * Current suicide risk. * Patients who have ever failed IPT in the context of cancer. * Patients who are receiving effective medication for depression * Patients with T3, T4 and THS abnormal values
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) | baseline, and every fourth week till week 12. | 10 to 15 minutes of mood assessment. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed