Coping with fear of cancer recurrence (CARE-pilot): Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) versus cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in cancer survivors and their spouses: a 2-arm randomized controlled external pilot trial

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Christina Sauer
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 569352800

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the most significant psychological burdens faced by cancer survivors. FCR describes the fear, worry, or concern relating to the possibility that cancer will come back or progress, and is associated with reduced quality of life as well as other psychological symptoms. Approximately 60% of cancer survivors suffer from FCR, 20% of whom suffer from severe FCR. Relatives are also burdened by FCR, which in turn negatively affects the dyadic relationship as well as the survivors' quality of life. However, to date, there is a lack of evidence-based psycho-oncological couple interventions that focus on patients’/survivors’ and spouses’ FCR. Meta-analyses indicate the efficacy of mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for reducing FCR. In contrast to traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches, which, for instance, aim to change thoughts and feelings by cognitive restructuring, ACT aims to increase psychological flexibility and promotes a more detached, acceptance-based attitude toward thoughts and feelings, as well as a value-based life orientation. However, the empirical evidence for ACT in relation to PA still needs to be investigated more thoroughly. This bicentric study, coping with fear of cancer recurrence (CARE-pilot), addresses these research gaps and aims to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a manualized ACT couple intervention for outpatient cancer survivors (defined as cancer patients who completed primary treatment and were diagnosed < 5 years ago) and their spouses. Sixty-four couples in which either survivor, spouse or both have elevated FCR will be randomized to either the ACT couple intervention (IG) or the traditional CBT couple intervention (active control group, CG). The IG and CG interventions consist of six psychotherapy sessions (four couple sessions and two individual sessions), the content of which is intensified in online modules between sessions (blended care). The primary endpoint of the feasibility study is the retention rate and achievement of recruitment targets. Using standardized measurements, changes in FCR, quality of life (primary endpoint of preliminary efficacy), and other psychosocial variables will be assessed at post-intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention. The feasibility study represents the first step in evaluating the feasibility and the practicality of the couple interventions. The CARE-Pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an ACT-based couple intervention in reducing FCR, compared to a CBT-based couple intervention, in couples navigating cancer survivorship.

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Gregor Weißflog