Managing Distress in Malignant Brain Cancer

Managing Distress in Malignant Brain Cancer

To identify potential adaptations of the managing cancer and living meaningfully (CALM) intervention that will be required for service members, Veterans, their beneficiaries, and civilian cancer metastasis to the brain (bMET) populations.

Single-arm, mixed-methods, Phase IIa, proof-of-concept trial to inform CALM adaptations for service members (SMs), Veterans, their beneficiaries, and civilians with bMET.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of brain metastasis (bMET) confirmed via medical records, radiography or histopathology
• At least 2 weeks post-surgical cranial resection or cranial biopsy (if applicable)
• Score > 20 on the TICS
• Report elevated depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) OR death anxiety symptoms (DADDS score ≥ 15)
• Ability to read, speak, and understand English
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major communication difficulties, which would prohibit psychotherapeutic interaction
• Inability to meet with interventionist via an electronic device for telehealth intervention sessions
• Inability to understand and provide informed consent
• Medical, psychological, or social condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may increase the participant's risk