# Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Fatigue Interference in Metastatic Breast Cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2020 · $431,213

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Fatigue interference with activities, mood, and cognition is one of the most prevalent and distressing concerns
of metastatic breast cancer patients. To date, there are no evidence-based interventions for reducing fatigue
interference in metastatic breast cancer patients and other advanced cancer populations. In pilot studies,
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown potential for reducing symptom-related suffering in
cancer patients. We recently conducted a pilot study in metastatic breast cancer that tested a novel telephone-
based ACT intervention combining mindfulness exercises (e.g., meditations, performing activities with greater
awareness) with identification of personal values and engagement in activities consistent with these values.
The intervention showed strong evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and promise with respect to reducing
fatigue interference with activities, mood, and cognition. The proposed Phase II trial seeks to more definitively
examine the efficacy of our telephone-based ACT intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer who
are experiencing fatigue interference. In this trial, 250 women will be randomly assigned in equal numbers to
either the ACT intervention or an education/support control condition. Women in both conditions will attend six
weekly 50-minute telephone sessions. The primary aim of this study is to test the effect of telephone-based
ACT on fatigue interference. Secondary outcomes include sleep interference, engagement in daily activities,
and quality of life. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention, and 3 and 6 months post-
intervention. This trial will also examine whether increases in psychological flexibility, defined as full awareness
of the present moment while persisting in action aligned with personal values, account for the beneficial effect
of ACT on fatigue interference. After demonstrating ACT's efficacy, the intervention can be widely
disseminated to metastatic breast cancer patients. This trial will also lay the groundwork for further application
and testing of ACT with a wide range of cancer populations and functional outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9889910
- **Project number:** 5R01CA230542-02
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Catherine E Mosher
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $431,213
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-08 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9889910

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9889910, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Fatigue Interference in Metastatic Breast Cancer (5R01CA230542-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9889910. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*