Feasibility of implementing a culturally and linguistically adapted telephone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for depression and anxiety with Hispanic and Latino cancer survivors

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Purpose/objectives Hispanic and Latino (hereafter ‘H/L’) cancer survivors report higher rates of anxiety/depression and are less likely to receive psychosocial services than other survivors. We field-tested a culturally and linguistically adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention with H/L post-treatment cancer survivors. Goals were to: (1) assess feasibility; (2) describe future efficacy outcomes; and (3) examine feedback for refinements.Design/research approach Single-arm feasibility study.Sample/participants H/L cancer survivors (N = 8).Methods Participants completed the 12-week CBT intervention, pre- and post-intervention measures, brief weekly feedback, and an in-depth interview. Recruitment, retention, and adherence, and changes in anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence were summarized using descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals.Findings Of 44 H/L survivors approached, 18 agreed to screening, and 9 met criteria; 8 enrolled over 7.4 months. Although we did not perform formal hypothesis testing, we observed clinically meaningful decreases in anxiety and depression. All who completed the intervention (n = 7) recommended the intervention.Conclusion While recruitment was challenging, participants reported robust decreases in depression and/or anxiety and high intervention satisfaction.Implications for psychosocial providers or policy Future work should explore ways to decrease stigma and enhance recruitment to fully evaluate the adapted intervention among H/L survivors.