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Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Nurse-Led, Coping and Supportive Intervention (RESTORE) for Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

NCT ID: NCT07513311Sponsor: Massachusetts General HospitalLast updated: 2026-06-15

Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led, coping, and supportive care intervention for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The intervention aims to improve psychosocial outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (e.g., quality of life (QOL), anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR)).

Detailed description

Background: Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) account for approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer diagnoses but are disproportionately burdened with metastatic disease and breast cancer death due to high rates of recurrence and a lack of risk-reducing treatment options in the surveillance phase. The transition to surveillance is marked with distress and prognostic uncertainty regarding fears of cancer recurrence at a time when contact with the oncology team decreases. Despite the dire needs of patients with TNBC, no coping and supportive care interventions currently exist for this population. Objective: To address this gap, the proposed study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, aims to develop, refine, and pilot-test a nurse-led, coping, and supportive care intervention to address the needs of patients with TNBC as they transition from curative therapy to surveillance. Specific Aims: The aims of this project are to (1) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the study protocol and intervention by conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of RESTORE, compared to an enhanced usual care control group (N=75), and (2) to estimate the preliminary effects of RESTORE for improving psychosocial outcomes (i.e., QOL, anxiety, FCR) in the pilot RCT. Study Design: The investigators will conduct a pilot RCT (n=75) to assess the feasibility of the intervention and an enhanced usual care group with assessments over the course of six months. The intervention is a brief, virtual, small-group, coping, and supportive care intervention that aims to improve psychosocial outcomes for patients with TNBC transitioning from curative therapy to surveillance. Participants will be recruited at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and three community satellite sites. Eligible participants will be patients with early-stage TNBC. This research study involves completing a questionnaire battery at enrollment, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. If the participants are randomized to receive the intervention, they will have five weekly 45-60-minute virtual (videoconferencing) sessions in small groups with a trained nurse, followed by two 15-minute check-in phone calls later in the study.

Arms & interventions

  • BehavioralRESTORE

    RESTORE is a nurse-led, small group-based, virtual (teleconference) cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention. The intervention incorporates psychoeducation, problem-solving, cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, symptom management skills training, coping effectiveness training, and mindfulness techniques.

  • BehavioralEnhanced Usual Care

    Participants will receive educational information on breast cancer survivorship care in addition to usual care.

Outcome measures

Primary

  • Program Feasibility - Enrollment

    The investigators will evaluate program feasibility by examining enrollment metrics. Enrollment feasibility is defined as ≥ 60% of eligible, approached patients who were offered study participation enrolling in the study.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Program Feasibility - Retention

    The investigators will evaluate program feasibility by examining retention rates. Retention feasibility is defined as ≥ 70% of participants completing the 12-week follow-up assessment.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Program Feasibility - Session Attendance

    The investigators will evaluate program feasibility by examining session attendance. Attendance feasibility is defined as ≥ 70% of participants completing at least 4 of 5 RESTORE intervention sessions.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Intervention Acceptability

    The investigators will evaluate intervention acceptability by examining satisfaction scores on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ). The intervention will be deemed acceptable if ≥75% of participants report average satisfaction scores above the CSQ's midpoint. The CSQ is evaluated on a 1-4 scale, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary

  • Intervention Session Acceptability

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Symptoms of Anxiety Between Groups on the PROMIS Emotional Distress Anxiety Short Form From Baseline to 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Symptoms of Depression Between Groups on the PROMIS Emotional Distress Depression Short Form From Baseline to 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Between Groups at Baseline and 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Fear of Cancer Recurrence Between Groups on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory - Short Form From Baseline to 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Fear of Cancer Recurrence Between Groups on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence-1 From Baseline to 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Quality of Life Between Groups at Baseline and 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Coping Between Groups at Baseline and 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Social Support Between Groups at Baseline and 12-weeks Post-baseline.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

  • Changes in Fear of Recurrence and Health Concerns Between Groups at Baseline and 12-weeks Post-baseline

    Time frame: 12 weeks

Eligibility criteria

Sex: AllAge: 18 Years and olderHealthy volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of stage 1-3 triple-negative breast cancer * Age ≥ to 18 years * Between one and 12 months post curative therapy * Reporting distress at least 4/10 on a one-item screener * Ability to read and respond in English or Spanish Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with stage 4 cancer * Patients with impaired cognition or serious mental illness that would preclude participation in study procedures

Study locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02144

Recruiting
Kathryn E Post, PhD, RN, ANP-BC · Contact
Kathryn E Post, PhD, RN, ANP-BC · Principal Investigator