CompletedNot Applicable

Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Serious Physical Illness

Germany24 participantsStarted 2022-09-15

Plain-language summary

Life-threatening physical illness may powerfully re-activate existential conflict. There is little evidence to date on the effectiveness of relationship-focused therapies in this patient group.The aim of this study is to pilot a psychodynamic treatment for patients with advanced cancer and high psychological distress.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years and older * UICC stage IV solid tumor * Informed consent * Current physical condition that allows for at least 12 therapy sessions * Indication: Presence of a mental disorder with existential stress and limitations in coping capacity Exclusion Criteria: * Acute suicidality * Psychotic disorder (ICD-10: F2 diagnosis) * Substance dependence or abuse (ICD-10: F1 diagnosis) * Structural deficits that interfere with attending to regular appointments * Other psychotherapeutic treatment * Severe cognitive impairment * Severe physical impairment * Insufficient German to give informed consent and complete self-report questionnaires

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (Safety and Tolerability)

Timeframe: up to 12-months follow-up

Acceptance

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Treatment adherence

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Therapeutic competence

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Treatment feasibility

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05520281

SponsorUniversitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-08-06

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Malignant Neoplasm trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (Safety and Tolerability)

Timeframe: up to 12-months follow-up

Acceptance

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Treatment adherence

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Therapeutic competence

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months

Treatment feasibility

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 6 months