A Pilot Study Exploring Four Types of Meditation Practices for Relaxation Among Cancer Survivors
City of Hope Medical Center
Summary
This clinical trial compares the impact of four types of meditation practices, breathing only, focused attention only, mindfulness only, and breathing, focused attention and mindfulness combined, for relaxation in cancer survivors. Studies show that many patients with cancer experience stress and anxiety. Meditation therapy uses a variety of techniques, such as breathing, sound, or movement, that may help to decrease distress and anxiety and enhance the health and quality of life of patients with cancer. The trial is being done to find out how meditation can help cancer survivors feel relaxed and attain a peaceful state of mind.
Description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. Assess the feasibility to attend and complete the meditation program as scheduled (combined arms) within six weeks. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the ability of breathing, mindfulness, focused attention, and a combination of all three meditation techniques to enhance relaxation in cancer survivors. II. Determine which meditation technique improves the outcome measures the most. III. Explore which meditation method is preferred by the subjects. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 4 arms. ARM I: Patients learn breathing only meditation with an instructor ove…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Documented written informed consent of the participant * Age: ≥ 18 years * Ability to understand and fluently speak English or Spanish * No previous training in mind-body relaxation techniques including meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, guided imagery, mindfulness-based stress reduction, hypnosis, or cognitive behavior therapy, that exceeds 3 hours. Additionally, no regular practice of mind-body relaxation techniques, or formal experience with mind-body relaxation techniques within the past 12 months * Visual Analog Scale (VAS) anxiety score of \> 3 from a range from 0…
Interventions
- ProcedureBiospecimen Collection
Undergo saliva sample collection
- ProcedureMeditation Therapy
Learn breathing only meditation
- ProcedureMeditation Therapy
Learn focused attention only meditation
- ProcedureMeditation Therapy
Learn mindfulness only meditation
- ProcedureMeditation Therapy
Learn breathing, focused attention, and mindfulness combined meditation
- OtherQuestionnaire Administration
Ancillary studies
Locations (2)
- City of Hope Medical CenterDuarte, California
- City of Hope at Irvine LennarIrvine, California