None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Training individuals gravely ill in mindfulness practice can assist them in to become less reactive in the face of difficulties such as pain, the loss of capacities, managing relationships and facing death. This study aims to expand previous findings by using one-group pre-test post-test design to research the efficacy of a therapeutic intervention grounded on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to help adults with advanced cancer to cope with their life-threatening illness. A further aim of this intervention study is to assess the value of assisting people with advanced cancer to think about and discuss their own meaning in life and acceptance of their current situation. This study design is one-group pre-test post-test with mixed methods approach. Data collection and analysis will be carried out on the basis of this methodology. A sample of 30 adults with advanced cancer who meet the inclusion criteria, will be invited to participate in this study by the Oncology Research Nurse coordinator from the Oncology department at the Christchurch Hospital. One 30 minutes’ session for 4 weeks will be conducted face-to-face with the researcher. As part of the intervention a digital audio recording containing the therapeutic intervention sessions, will be developed as an easy device for adults coping with advanced cancer. Participants will be asked to complete a small number of questionnaires and one interview once before and once after the 4 weeks of the therapeutic program, to find out changes in levels of mindful coping skills, attitudes to acceptance and reflections about meaning in life. Data analysis will commence during the data collection and after carrying out the study. Accordingly to the converged mixed methods design, qualitative and quantitative data will be analyzed separately, and then merged to investigate variances in mindful coping skills of the participants as well as acceptance attitude and meaning in life.
Interventions
Mindfulness therapeutic training.
20 - 30 minutes of a one-to-one session with the researcher occur once a week for four weeks. A digital recording containing the trainingwill be developed as an easy device for participants to keep and practice should they wish.
Sessions content:
Session 1 contains guided meditation ( breathing and relaxation techniques, the body scan) awareness, focus on the present moment and mindful coping skills.
Session 2 contains guided meditation ( breathing and relaxat
Mindfulness therapeutic training. 20 - 30 minutes of a one-to-one session with the researcher occur once a week for four weeks. A digital recording containing the trainingwill be developed as an easy device for participants to keep and practice should they wish. Sessions content: Session 1 contains guided meditation ( breathing and relaxation techniques, the body scan) awareness, focus on the present moment and mindful coping skills. Session 2 contains guided meditation ( breathing and relaxation techniques) and reflections about attitudes to acceptance through mindfulness practice. Session 3 contains guided meditation ( breathing and relaxation techniques) and reflections about meaning in life through mindfulness practice. Session 4 contains a closure involving mindfulness of breath and body sensations, mindfulness of thoughts and feelings, the practice review and reflections about meaning in life. All sessions are 20 - 30 minutes in length. The facilitator is a Psychology graduate trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. To monitor adherence a register of attendance at sessions will be conducted.
Sponsors
Primary supervisor, Dr Beverley Burrell.
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adults with a diagnosis of advanced cancer (stage III and stage IV), which is any type of cancer that cannot be cured and is life-threatening. Non-Maori or Maori, age > 18 years old, no upper age limit. Have a clear understanding of written and spoken English and commitment to regular attendance to participate in the intervention program.
Exclusion criteria
Currently compromised breathing conditions, hospitalization, acute exacerbation or debilitating event, advanced level of neurological and auditory impairment, and or psychiatric disorders likely to affect the ability to participate in the intervention program.
Outcome results
None listed