RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Existential Distress in Advanced Cancer: Comparing a Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (ORPHYS) to Treatment as Usual (TAU)

This study focuses on people living with advanced cancer who are experiencing feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worry about the future. Researchers want to compare a new type of short-term talking therapy, called ORPHYS, with the usual support people already receive. Many advancements mean people with cancer are living longer, but this can also bring worries about what comes next. ORPHYS is designed to help address these challenging feelings and improve quality of life. The study will involve 160 participants, split into two groups: one receiving ORPHYS and the other receiving standard care. The main goal is to see if ORPHYS can better reduce feelings of being demoralised, which is a key part of existential distress, and help people cope with the emotional impact of advanced cancer.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Enrolment target

160

Start

24 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Advanced Cancer, Various, NOS

What is this study about?

When someone is living with advanced cancer, it can bring up many difficult emotions, such as worries about the future, fear of what might happen, and feelings of loneliness or sadness. Sometimes, these challenging feelings can lead to a sense of despair or hopelessness, where it feels very hard to see a positive way forward. This is often called existential distress or demoralisation.

While medical treatments for cancer have improved significantly, helping people live longer, it also means people and their families must learn to live with uncertainty. This study aims to help those who are struggling with these deeper emotional challenges. It wants to find out the best way to support people dealing with fears and uncertainties at a difficult time in their lives.

The study will look at a new form of talking therapy called ORPHYS. It's a short-term therapy designed specifically for people with serious physical illnesses. Researchers will compare ORPHYS with the kind of emotional support people usually receive, which is called 'Treatment As Usual' (TAU). By comparing these two approaches, the study hopes to discover if ORPHYS can be a more effective way to help people reduce feelings of despair and improve their overall well-being and quality of life.

Key takeaways

The study compares a new talking therapy (ORPHYS) with standard care for advanced cancer.
It aims to help people cope with feelings of despair, hopelessness, and fear.
About 160 adults with advanced cancer will participate.
Participation involves therapy sessions and assessments over about a year.
The goal is to improve emotional well-being and quality of life for patients.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you would need to have been diagnosed with advanced cancer. You should also be well enough to attend appointments as an outpatient. The study is particularly looking for people who are experiencing emotional distress, such as feeling hopeless, anxious about the future, lonely, or afraid of death. These feelings should be causing you significant worry or making it hard for you to manage your daily life.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have current thoughts or plans to harm yourself, or if you have certain mental health conditions like a substance dependence (other than tobacco) or a psychotic disorder. You also can't be currently receiving another form of talking therapy that might affect the study results, or if you can't understand German well enough to take part in the sessions and fill out questionnaires.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have advanced cancer?
Am I experiencing significant distress, like hopelessness or fear about the future?
Am I able to attend outpatient appointments?
Am I not currently receiving other forms of psychological support/therapy?
Do I not have a substance dependence (other than tobacco) or a psychotic disorder?
Can I understand and communicate in German for therapy and questionnaires?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you would first have an assessment. Then, you'd be randomly placed into one of two groups. One group will receive the new ORPHYS talking therapy, which involves 15 to 31 sessions. These sessions are individual and are designed to help you explore and cope with your feelings. The other group will receive the standard emotional support and care for people with cancer, known as 'Treatment As Usual'.

Throughout the study, regardless of which group you're in, you'll be asked to complete some assessments. These will happen before you start treatment and then again after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. These assessments will help the researchers understand how you're feeling and how the treatments are affecting your well-being. The total duration of your participation, including follow-up, would be around 12 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer you the benefit of receiving dedicated emotional support, either through the new ORPHYS therapy or through the standard care, which may help you cope better with your cancer diagnosis and its emotional impact. This could potentially improve your quality of life and feelings of hope. As with any talking therapy, discussing difficult emotions can sometimes feel uncomfortable or upsetting during sessions, but therapists are trained to support you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (3)

Clinical Institute for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Düsseldorf
Verified postcode
Düsseldorf, Germany· Recruiting
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Verified postcode
Hamburg, Germany· Recruiting
Psychosomatics, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Medicine II, University of Würzburg
Verified postcode
Würzburg, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'existential distress'?

It's a feeling of deep worry and sadness, often including hopelessness or fear about the future, especially when facing a serious illness like advanced cancer.

What is ORPHYS therapy?

It's a new, short-term talking therapy designed to help people with serious physical illnesses cope with difficult emotions and feelings of despair.

What does 'Treatment As Usual' mean?

This refers to the standard emotional support and care that people with cancer typically receive from healthcare professionals.

Will I get to choose which treatment I receive?

No, participants are randomly assigned to either the ORPHYS group or the 'Treatment As Usual' group, like drawing names from a hat.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You'll be involved for about a year, including your therapy sessions and follow-up assessments.

How to find out more

Sigrun Vehling, PD Dr.

s.vehling@uke.de +4940741056805 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.