# An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Psychosocial Intervention to Alleviate Distress and Promote Adaptive Coping Skills in Patients with Malignant Primary Central Nervous System Tumors

> **NIH NIH K08** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $293,053

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Malignant primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors are incurable tumors characterized by high symptom
burden and poor survival. In addition to the symptoms and challenges common to patients with other advanced
cancers, patients diagnosed with malignant primary CNS tumors face unique stressors related to the effects of
the cancer on their nervous system. In an effort to cope with distress about their poor prognosis and neurological
dysfunction, these patients commonly engage in avoidant behavior that may ultimately heighten their distress
and lead to social isolation, with adverse effects on their mood and quality of life. This proposal details a five-
year plan to refine and pilot test a supportive psychosocial intervention that incorporates elements of Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy to address the unmet supportive care needs of patients with primary malignant CNS
tumors and alleviate their distress. Specifically, the aims of this projects are to 1) refine a population-specific
psychosocial intervention based on interviews with stakeholders (N=15) and an open pilot study (N=10),
incorporating adaptations for patients with cognitive or communication deficits, as are common among these
patients; and 2) perform a pilot randomized controlled trial (N=100) to evaluate the feasibility of the study protocol
and acceptability of the intervention, and estimate the preliminary effects of the intervention on intervention
targets (coping skills and values-driven behavior) and proposed outcomes (prognostic distress, mood, quality of
life and social isolation). This proposal also details the plans of the candidate, Dr. Deborah Forst, a neuro-
oncologist and outcomes researcher, to gain mentorship, didactic training and career development to facilitate
her transition to research independence. Dr. Forst’s long-term career goal is to become an independent
physician-investigator and leader in supportive care research in neuro-oncology. With this project, Dr. Forst will
gain essential experience and skills in 1) developing psychosocial interventions; 2) adapting supportive care to
accommodate the needs of patients with cognitive and communication deficits; and 3) conducting supportive
care trials in seriously ill patients. She will receive this training through a combination of expert mentorship,
coursework and conference participation, and the design and execution of the proposed project. Dr. Forst has
assembled a team of mentors who are experts in designing and conducting supportive care trials (Dr. Jennifer
Temel, primary mentor) and refining psychosocial interventions (Dr. Lara Traeger, co-mentor), and she will
receive additional guidance and support from scientific advisors with expertise in cognitive dysfunction in patients
with CNS tumors, cognitive-linguistic rehabilitation, neuro-oncology trials, and biostatistics. Dr. Forst’s training
will be supplemented by structured coursework and participation in pertinent workshops and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10806473
- **Project number:** 1K08CA279644-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Deborah A Forst
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $293,053
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10806473

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10806473, An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Psychosocial Intervention to Alleviate Distress and Promote Adaptive Coping Skills in Patients with Malignant Primary Central Nervous System Tumors (1K08CA279644-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10806473. Licensed CC0.

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