# Couple Communication Skills Training for Advanced Cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $95,603

## Abstract

For patients and their intimate partners, advanced cancer poses significant physical and emotional
challenges that can negatively impact both the individuals and the couple. Couples’ ability to
communicate openly and effectively with each other about cancer-related concerns can improve their
psychological adjustment and the quality of their relationship. It may also lead to better symptom
management and goal-concordant care for the patient. However, many couples report difficulties
communicating about cancer, even in the context of overall satisfying relationships. Prior research has
found that couple-based interventions that target communication lead to positive outcomes for cancer
patients and their partners. However, most have been limited by an in-person treatment delivery
format that precludes many couples from participating; they have also not targeted interventions to
couples most at risk for poor outcomes. To address these limitations, this study will conduct an RCT
to test the efficacy of a Couples Communication Skills Training (CCST) intervention delivered via
videoconference for couples facing advanced cancer. The intervention is targeted to couples who
report high levels of holding back from discussing cancer-related concerns, a variable associated with
poorer psychological and relationship functioning. The CCST intervention includes components to
assist couples communicate effectively, decrease avoidance of important cancer-related issues, and
provide each other with support. In this study, 230 patients with advanced GI, GU, breast, or lung
cancer and their partners will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: 1) CCST, or 2)
Education. All participants will be provided with tablet computers with internet access for
videoconferencing. Assessments, including self-report measures and audio recorded couple
conversations, will be conducted with patients and partners at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-
treatment. Self-report measures will also be collected at 3 months follow up. The primary hypothesis
to be tested is that patients and partners in the CCST intervention will report significantly higher levels
of relationship satisfaction and intimacy relative to those in the education condition. Secondary aims
will focus on (a) improvements in patient and partner psychological adjustment; (b) improvements in
patient health and health care outcomes; and (c) whether improvements in individual and relationship
functioning are mediated by improvements in self-reported and objective measures of communication.
Exploratory analyses include (a) examination of moderators of intervention effects, and (b) an
implementation-related process evaluation of the intervention guided by the RE-AIM framework to
expedite translation of the intervention into clinical practice.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10517298
- **Project number:** 3R01CA229425-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** LAURA S PORTER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $95,603
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10517298

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10517298, Couple Communication Skills Training for Advanced Cancer (3R01CA229425-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10517298. Licensed CC0.

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