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Fear of Cancer Recurrence Therapy (FORT): Turkish Cultural Adaptation and Implementation Project
Sponsor: Maltepe University
Summary
This project had two phases. In the first phase, the group-based Fear of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) was culturally adapted for Turkish cancer survivors (Nüks Korkusu Terapisi, NKT) through a four-stage process based on the WHO and ecological validity frameworks: literature review, translation and expert review of the manual, cognitive interviews with survivors and psycho-oncology experts, and an adaptation workshop. In the second phase, a two-arm randomised controlled trial compared NKT with an active CBT-based supportive group in women with stage I-III breast cancer. Both interventions were delivered online in six weekly group sessions. The planned sample was 136 participants (68 per arm); 100 were randomised (50 per arm). Questionnaires were completed at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1), and 3 (T2) and 6 (T3) months after the final session. The primary outcome was the total score of the Turkish Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory at 3 and 6 months; secondary outcomes were intolerance of uncertainty, self-efficacy, quality of life and cancer coping. Analyses were planned as repeated-measures ANCOVA within a general linear modelling framework.
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2024-10-22
Completion Date
2025-09-26
Last Updated
2026-10-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Fear of cancer recurrence therapy (FORT)
FORT consists of 6 sessions in total, the scopes of the sessions are detailed below: Session 1 (Acquiring new skills to cope with Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR)) HOMEWORK: Daily practice of progressive muscle relaxation exercise; creation of a thought record Session 2 (Providing information on symptoms of cancer recurrence and increasing tolerance to uncertainty) HOMEWORK: Listening to recordings of relaxation exercises every day; practising self-calming, keeping a record of thoughts Session 3 (Developing coping skills) HOMEWORK: Practise guided imagery daily; debunk erroneous beliefs about the benefits of worrying; keep a thought log Session 4 (Deepening the underlying fears) HOMEWORK: Reading the worst case fear scenario every day, practising daily self-care and mindfulness practices Session 5 (Moving beyond specific fears) HOMEWORK: Writing goals and priorities for the future Session 6 (Review and conclusion) Reviewing all the discussed content
cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) group
The cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) oriented control group consisted of a total of 6 sessions. The scopes of the sessions are given in detail below. Session 1: Introduction and cancer-focused psychoeducation with CBT HOMEWORK: Keeping a thought diary Session 2: Addressing the underlying causes of thoughts HOMEWORK: Keeping a thought diary about underlying beliefs Session 3: Recognising conflicts HOMEWORK: Task: Keep a diary of thoughts about disagreements (what gives us pleasure and what we should master) Session 4: Effective communication techniques HOMEWORK: Keeping a diary about the use of the word "good enough" Session 5: Discussion of the definitions of anxiety and depression Session 6: Anger Management HOMEWORK: HOMEWORK: Keeping a diary about the use of the breathing exercise
Locations (1)
Istanbul Maltepe University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)