Novel Couple-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Mindful PaCT is a manualized, couple-based mindfulness intervention designed to reduce distress and strengthen coping among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and their partners. The intervention includes four weekly, 60- to 75-minute sessions delivered to each patient-partner dyad via secure videoconferencing by a trained interventionist. Sessions address four core mindfulness competencies: awareness, acceptance, compassion, and connection. Intervention content includes mindfulness-based education, guided experiential exercises, and skill-building activities designed to support individual and relational coping and adjustment in the context of advanced cancer. Couples receive a workbook containing session materials and access to supplemental audio and video recordings of guided mindfulness practices to support between-session practice and continued skill development.

Wellness PaCT is a manualized, couple-based educational intervention designed as an active, attention-matched control condition for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and their partners. The intervention includes four weekly, 60- to 75-minute sessions delivered to each patient-partner dyad via secure videoconferencing by a trained interventionist. Each session focuses on a wellness topic relevant to coping with metastatic colorectal cancer: general wellness, sleep and fatigue, diet and nutrition, and exercise and physical activity. Intervention content includes health education and structured activities intended to support healthy lifestyle behaviors in the context of advanced cancer. Couples receive a workbook containing session materials and access to supplemental educational resources to support continued learning between sessions.