Treatment for Stress, Depression, and Anxiety for Patients with Lung Cancer 

“A Biobehavioral/Cognitive (ABC)” treatment is a trial for patients with lung cancer (N=40) experiencing stress, depression, or anxiety. ABC consists of 10-18 one-hour sessions, combining two efficacious treatments: the Biobehavioral Intervention (BBI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The first 10 sessions of ABC guide patients through a series of skills from the BBI, including progressive muscle relaxation training, coping skills, and assertive communication. Sessions 11-14 utilize skills from CBT, including identifying and challenging automatic negative thoughts related to diagnosis or treatment. Sessions 15-18 offer training for maintaining progress achieved during the previous sessions. In total, the program lasts for approximately 5 months.

This research study will evaluate the efficacy of the ABC treatment to reduce psychological symptoms for patients with advanced lung cancer with moderate/severe depressive symptoms. This study will also establish the acceptability and suitability of the intervention, in order to identify efficiencies to achieve clinical change. The trial principal investigator (PI) is Nicole Arrato, clinical psychology (health) doctoral student funded by The Ohio State University Graduate School. Additional funds for the research come from the AGGRS award.  

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:

• Have been diagnosed with advanced (stage IV) lung cancer
• Are experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
• Have not yet received treatment for lung cancer or depression/anxiety

Contact: Nicole A. Arrato, M.A.

arrato.1@osu.edu