Identifying and Mobilizing Personal Resources to Improve Well-Being in Cancer Participants Using the CAERES Protocol

NCT07582666 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: BASEC-2021-01759CE3941
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 3

Brief Summary

Cancer patients often experience emotional distress, fatigue, and reduced quality of life that may not be fully addressed by medical treatment alone. Research suggests that helping patients identify and mobilize their personal strengths and resources may support their psychological well-being. However, structured psychosocial interventions focused on personal resources have not been widely tested in cancer rehabilitation settings. The goal of this clinical trial was to test the acceptability and feasibility of a 3-week psychosocial intervention designed to help adult cancer patients identify and mobilize their personal strengths to better cope with their illness. The intervention was based on the AERES tool (Auto-Evaluation des RESsources; in english : Resources Self-Assessment), a card-sorting instrument developed at the University of Lausanne for strength-based assessment in clinical populations. The main questions it aimed to answer were:

• Was the CAERES (Cancer Auto-Evaluation of RESources) intervention acceptable and feasible for cancer patients undergoing oncological treatment or rehabilitation?
• Did the intervention positively affect emotional well-being, self-efficacy, posttraumatic growth, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with care? Researchers compared an immediate-intervention group with a waitlist control group (3-week delay before receiving the same intervention) to see if the intervention produced measurable effects on the targeted outcomes. Participants:
• Completed an in-person AERES card-sorting session (1 to 2.5 hours) to identify personal strengths across three dimensions (personal qualities, hobbies and passions, and social/environmental resources)
• Received a personalized written report identifying a targeted resource to develop
• Engaged in a 3-week home-based reinforcement program with three weekly phone calls (15 minutes each) and three personalized written feedback reports
• Completed validated questionnaires at three time points (baseline, post-intervention, follow-up) Recruitment was conducted at three sites in Italian-speaking Switzerland: the Rehabilitation Clinic of Novaggio (EOC/Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale), the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI) in Bellinzona, and a private psycho-oncology practice in Lugano, with patient referrals supported by collaborating psycho-oncologists.

Conditions

Self Efficacy; Cancer-related Fatigue; Post-Traumatic Growth, Psychological; Depression; Anxiety; Neoplasms (Cancer / Tumors); Affect (Mental Function)

Keywords

Self-Efficacy; Posttraumatic Growth Inventory; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Positive Affect Schedule; Quasi-Experimental Design; Waitlist Control; Psychoeducation; Strengths-Based Intervention; Positive Psychology; Psycho-Oncology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• CAERES Questionnaire (Acceptability and Feasibility Multi-Domain Assessment)

  Acceptability and feasibility of the CAERES psychosocial intervention assessed using the CAERES questionnaire, a 56-item self-developed instrument administered once at end of study (6 weeks after baseline). The questionnaire is structured in 7 domains corresponding to the intervention components: overall protocol design (Q1); initial AERES self-assessment session (Q2); initial written report (Q3); 3-week reinforcement program (Q4); three weekly phone calls (Q5); three weekly written feedback reports (Q6); three outcome assessment batteries (Q7). Each domain is rated through 8 evaluative items on a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree): relevant, stimulating, interesting, innovative, pleasant, organized, individualized, and demanding (reverse-scored). A global score is computed by summing the 7 domain mean scores (range 7-35). Higher scores indicate greater acceptability/feasibility. Internal consistency: Cronbach's alpha = .91 (n=30, 7 domains).

  At end of study, 6 weeks after baseline: 3 weeks after intervention completion for the AERES Group, and immediately after intervention completion for the Waitlist Control Group. Measured once per participant.

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Patient Satisfaction with Chronic Illness Care (PACIC-5A)

  Three measurement time points: at baseline (before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (post-intervention for AERES Group / end of waiting period for Waitlist Control Group), and at 6 weeks after baseline (end of study).

• Positive Affect (PANAS Positive Subscale)

  Three measurement time points: at baseline (before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (post-intervention for AERES Group / end of waiting period for Waitlist Control Group), and at 6 weeks after baseline (end of study).

• Cancer-Related Self-Efficacy for Coping (CBI-B/I)

  Three measurement time points: at baseline (before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (post-intervention for AERES Group / end of waiting period for Waitlist Control Group), and at 6 weeks after baseline (end of study).

• Posttraumatic Growth (PTGI-SF, Italian Version)

  Three measurement time points: at baseline (before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (post-intervention for AERES Group / end of waiting period for Waitlist Control Group), and at 6 weeks after baseline (end of study).

• Cancer-Related Fatigue (BFI-I, Italian Version)

  Three measurement time points: at baseline (before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (post-intervention for AERES Group / end of waiting period for Waitlist Control Group), and at 6 weeks after baseline (end of study).

Study Arms (2)

Arm1: AERES Group (Immediate Intervention)

EXPERIMENTAL

Adult cancer patients receiving the CAERES psychosocial intervention immediately after baseline assessment. The 3-week intervention combines: (1) an initial in-person AERES assessment session (1.5-2.5 hrs) using a card-based tool to identify personal strengths and resources, followed by an initial personalized written report specifying the targeted resource to mobilize; (2) three weekly follow-up phone calls, each followed by a personalized written report. Outcomes assessed at baseline (pre-test, before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (post-test 1, immediately after intervention completion), and at 6 weeks after baseline (post-test 2, end of study). Written materials and self-report questionnaires were delivered by email, postal mail, or in person, according to participant preference.

Behavioral: CAERES (Cancer Auto-Evaluation of RESources) Psychosocial Intervention

Arm 2: WL group (Waitlist Control Group)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Adult cancer patients placed on a 3-week waiting list before receiving the same CAERES psychosocial intervention as Arm 1 (initial in-person AERES session, initial personalized written report, three weekly phone calls each followed by a personalized written report). Outcomes assessed at baseline (pre-test 1, before any intervention), at 3 weeks after baseline (pre-test 2, end of waiting period), and at 6 weeks after baseline (post-test, immediately after delayed intervention completion). Written materials and self-report questionnaires were delivered by email, postal mail, or in person, according to participant preference. Group allocation was non-randomized, based on participants' availability and compatibility with oncological treatment schedule.

Behavioral: CAERES (Cancer Auto-Evaluation of RESources) Psychosocial Intervention

Interventions

CAERES (Cancer Auto-Evaluation of RESources) Psychosocial Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The CAERES intervention is a multi-component, individualized psychosocial program enhancing personal resource mobilization, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being in cancer patients. Hybrid format over 3 weeks, with two phases: PHASE 1 - Initial in-person AERES assessment session (1.5-2.5 hrs) using card-based tool (Bellier-Teichmann \& Pomini, 2015) to identify personal strengths and resources; followed by an initial personalized written report specifying the targeted resource to mobilize. PHASE 2 - Three-week reinforcement program: three structured weekly cycles, each consisting of an individual phone call supporting active mobilization of the targeted resource, followed by a personalized written report. Total: 8 structured contacts (1 in-person session, 3 phone calls, 4 written reports). Written reports and self-report questionnaire batteries were delivered to participants by email, postal mail, or in person, according to participant preference.

Also known as: CAERES Protocol

Arm 2: WL group (Waitlist Control Group); Arm1: AERES Group (Immediate Intervention)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Any type of cancer
• Age ≥18 years
• Currently undergoing or awaiting curative cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or surgery), or in oncological rehabilitation/follow-up
• Life expectancy of at least one year
• Sufficient knowledge of Italian or French
• Written informed consent provided

You may not qualify if:

• Treatment completed more than two years prior to enrollment
• Advanced disease
• Cancer relapse during the study
• Diagnosis of major depression
• Cognitive impairment preventing adequate adherence to the protocol
• Insufficient knowledge of Italian or French to participate in counseling and assessment sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• UniDistance Suisse: lead

Study Sites (3)

Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana (IOSI)

Bellinzona, Canton Ticino, 6500, Switzerland

Location

Private Psycho-Oncology Practice

Lugano, Canton Ticino, 6900, Switzerland

Location

Clinica di Riabilitazione EOC

Novaggio, Canton Ticino, 6986, Switzerland

Location

Related Publications (10)

• Terracciano A, McCrae RR, Costa PT Jr. Factorial and construct validity of the Italian Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Eur J Psychol Assess. 2003;19(2):131-141. doi: 10.1027//1015-5759.19.2.131.

  PMID: 20467578 BACKGROUND

• Merluzzi TV, Pustejovsky JE, Philip EJ, Sohl SJ, Berendsen M, Salsman JM. Interventions to enhance self-efficacy in cancer patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychooncology. 2019 Sep;28(9):1781-1790. doi: 10.1002/pon.5148. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

  PMID: 31206917 BACKGROUND

• Glasgow RE, Wagner EH, Schaefer J, Mahoney LD, Reid RJ, Greene SM. Development and validation of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC). Med Care. 2005 May;43(5):436-44. doi: 10.1097/01.mlr.0000160375.47920.8c.

  PMID: 15838407 BACKGROUND

• Ruini C, Vescovelli F, Albieri E. Post-traumatic growth in breast cancer survivors: new insights into its relationships with well-being and distress. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2013 Sep;20(3):383-91. doi: 10.1007/s10880-012-9340-1.

  PMID: 23229823 BACKGROUND

• Cann A, Calhoun LG, Tedeschi RG, Taku K, Vishnevsky T, Triplett KN, Danhauer SC. A short form of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2010;23(2):127-37. doi: 10.1080/10615800903094273.

  PMID: 19582640 BACKGROUND

• Fredrickson BL. The role of positive emotions in positive psychology. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Am Psychol. 2001 Mar;56(3):218-26. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218.

  PMID: 11315248 BACKGROUND

• Serpentini S, Del Bianco P, Chirico A, Merluzzi TV, Martino R, Lucidi F, De Salvo GL, Trentin L, Capovilla E. Self-efficacy for coping: utility of the Cancer behavior inventory (Italian) for use in palliative care. BMC Palliat Care. 2019 Apr 5;18(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s12904-019-0420-y.

  PMID: 30953485 BACKGROUND

• Catania G, Bell C, Ottonelli S, Marchetti M, Bryce J, Grossi A, Costantini M. Cancer-related fatigue in Italian cancer patients: validation of the Italian version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Support Care Cancer. 2013 Feb;21(2):413-9. doi: 10.1007/s00520-012-1539-z. Epub 2012 Jul 13.

  PMID: 22790224 BACKGROUND

• Costantini M, Musso M, Viterbori P, Bonci F, Del Mastro L, Garrone O, Venturini M, Morasso G. Detecting psychological distress in cancer patients: validity of the Italian version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Support Care Cancer. 1999 May;7(3):121-7. doi: 10.1007/s005200050241.

  PMID: 10335929 BACKGROUND

• Bellier-Teichmann T, Golay P, Pomini V. Which are your resources and how do they contribute to your recovery? A new strengths assessment within a clinical population. European Review of Applied Psychology. 2018;68(6):215-226. doi: 10.1016/j.erap.2018.10.004

  BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Descriptive page on the AERES (Auto-Evaluation des Ressources), the strengths self-assessment instrument used as the core component of the CAERES intervention, developed by Bellier-Teichmann and Pomini.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms; Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Interventions

Psychosocial Intervention

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Alexandra d'Agata Botta, MSc

  UniDistance Suisse

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Single-blind design with participant masking. Although participants were informed of their participation in a psychoeducational program and provided informed consent, the two-arm comparative structure of the study (immediate intervention vs. waitlist control) was not explicitly disclosed in the participant information. Group allocation was presented as determined by participants' oncological treatment schedules rather than as an experimental condition. This naturalistic allocation procedure ensured that participants were unaware of belonging to a comparison group, minimizing differential expectancy effects between arms.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Psychologist FSP (Federation of Swiss Psychologists), MSc in Psychology

Model Details: Parallel-group design with two arms: an immediate intervention group (Arm 1: AERES group) and a waitlist (WL) control group (Arm 2 : WL group) that received the same intervention after a 3-week delay. Group allocation was non-randomized and based on participants' scheduling availability.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Posted: May 13, 2026
• Study Start: October 15, 2021
• Primary Completion: May 31, 2022
• Study Completion: May 31, 2022
• Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Beginning 12 months after publication of main results, ending 5 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: Researchers with a methodologically sound proposal demonstrating scientific merit and ethical considerations may submit requests to the principal investigator. Approval will be granted following review of the proposal and signature of a data access agreement.

Locations

CH (3)