Publications [#386141] of Francis J. Keefe

Journal Articles

1. Hyland, KA; Neacsiu, AD; Fisher, HM; Cowperthwait, CM; Chou, N; Stinchcombe, TE; Oeffinger, KC; Porter, LS; Dorfman, CS; Keefe, FJ; Somers, TJ (2025). LiveWell: Pilot Feasibility Trial of an Adapted Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Training Protocol in Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.. Psychooncology, 34(12), e70357. [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/15)

   Abstract:
   BACKGROUND: People living longer with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) experience heightened psychological distress and decrements in quality of life. Therefore, we developed LiveWell, an 8-session adapted dialectical behavioral therapy skills training (DBT-ST) protocol delivered one-on-one via telehealth to reduce psychological distress. AIM: To conduct a single-arm pilot trial examining the feasibility and acceptability of LiveWell and explore change in outcome variables. METHODS: Patients receiving systemic therapy for mNSCLC with at least mild distress participated. Outcomes were feasibility (accrual N = 30 in 18 months, > 80% sessions attended, < 25% attrition) and acceptability (> 80% participant satisfaction). Distress (depression and anxiety symptoms; primary outcomes), intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation, illness acceptance, symptoms (e.g., fatigue, dyspnea, pain), skill use, and quality of life (secondary outcomes) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (primary endpoint), and 1-month post-intervention and examined with paired sample t-tests. RESULTS: Thirty participants (Mage = 63 years, 77% female) consented and completed the baseline assessment. LiveWell met feasibility (accrual N = 30 in 8 months, 93% sessions attended, 87% retention at post-intervention) and acceptability (96% satisfaction) benchmarks. Participants demonstrated reductions in distress (depression d = 0.35, anxiety d = 0.22) from baseline to post-treatment. Intolerance of uncertainty (d = 0.71), emotion regulation (d = 0.49), and illness acceptance (d = 0.45) improved. Fatigue and pain remained stable or improved (d's 0.07-0.38). Skill use increased (d = 0.65) and quality of life improved (d = 0.21). Improvements were maintained or enhanced at 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LiveWell was feasible and acceptable, and participants demonstrated promising improvement in primary and secondary outcomes. Findings support a larger randomized efficacy trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04973436.