This K01 application will provide the applicant, Dr. Milbury, with protected time, resources, and training to help her transition into the role of an independent researcher in the field of cancer prevention and control. Dr. Milbury's primary research interest focuses on how cancer patients and their spouses/partners cope together with the debilitating physical and psychological sequelae associated with the cancer diagnosis and treatment. Little is known about a couple-based approach to improving quality of life (QOL). A mind-body program (e.g., yoga, tai chi) that uses a couple-based approach may be particularly effective in reducing psychological and physiological symptom burden in lung cancer patients and their partners. Thus, Dr. Milbury's career goal is relevant to public health and to the scope of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) because this investigation will examine the role a mind-body intervention in improving the health of cancer patients and their partners using a scientifically rigorous, multi-method assessment strategy. To help Dr. Milbury become an independent researcher, we propose a plan that will provide training and research experience under the mentorship of established, independent scientists. Training will focus on three areas: 1) complimentary and integrative medicine (CIM);2) randomized controlled trials (RCTs);and 3) biological measurement and mechanisms. With respect to each of these areas, the applicant will complete formal coursework and other educational programs, receive hands-on training and publish research findings. Research experience will include the completion of a project that addresses two Specific Aims: 1) to develop and test the acceptability of a couple-based mind-body (CBMB) program and 2) to establish feasibility and initial efficacy of the CBMB program on subjective and objective measures of health in lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and their partners. This project does not only represent a major step towards managing QOL in lung cancer patients and their partners but also towards advancing the science of mind-body medicine. To achieve these Aims, we will first conduct formative research including quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the experiences of 18 couples with three different mind-body practices (Hatha Yoga, Tibetan Yoga and Tai Chi) to select the most appropriate practice as the foundation of the CBMB program. We will develop content of the CBMB program based on these findings and then implement a pilot RCT of the CBMB program to examine subjective (e.g., self-report) and objective health outcomes (e.g., biological assessments, pulmonary function tests) in 50 couples coping with lung cancer and its treatment. Dr. Milbury will use the obtained pilot data to inform her applications for future grant support that will formally test the efficacy of the CBMB program. The training and research activities proposed in this application will help her become an independent researcher capable of obtaining such grant support.

Public Health Relevance

This project may demonstrate the effectiveness of using a behavioral intervention to improve quality of life and symptom burden in lung cancer patients, which may even have implications for their prolonged survival. Because informal caregiving has been demonstrated to increase the risk of disease and mortality, this intervention includes patients'spouses/partners attempting to reduce emotional and physical strain associated with caregiving and to improve partners'quality of life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01AT007559-01A1
Application #
8581559
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-PK (25))
Program Officer
Khalsa, Partap Singh
Project Start
2013-09-01
Project End
2018-06-30
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$130,281
Indirect Cost
$9,354
Name
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
800772139
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Chaoul, Alejandro; Milbury, Kathrin; Spelman, Amy et al. (2018) Randomized trial of Tibetan yoga in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer 124:36-45
Milbury, Kathrin; Mallaiah, Smitha; Mahajan, Anita et al. (2018) Yoga Program for High-Grade Glioma Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy and Their Family Caregivers. Integr Cancer Ther 17:332-336
Leal, Isabel; Milbury, Kathrin; Engebretson, Joan et al. (2018) Interconnection: A qualitative analysis of adjusting to living with renal cell carcinoma. Palliat Support Care 16:146-154
Milbury, Kathrin; Lopez, Gabriel; Spelman, Amy et al. (2017) Examination of moderators of expressive writing in patients with renal cell carcinoma: the role of depression and social support. Psychooncology 26:1361-1368
Milbury, Kathrin; Kavanagh, April; Meng, Zhiqiang et al. (2017) Depressive symptoms and positive affect in Chinese and United States breast cancer survivors: a cross-cultural comparison. Support Care Cancer 25:2103-2109
Ratcliff, Chelsea G; Milbury, Kathrin; Chandwani, Kavita D et al. (2016) Examining Mediators and Moderators of Yoga for Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy. Integr Cancer Ther 15:250-62
Badr, Hoda; Milbury, Kathrin; Majeed, Nadia et al. (2016) Natural language use and couples' adjustment to head and neck cancer. Health Psychol 35:1069-80
Thekdi, Seema Malhotra; Milbury, Kathrin; Spelman, Amy et al. (2015) Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in renal cell carcinoma: association with quality of life and utility of single-item distress screening. Psychooncology 24:1477-84
Milbury, Kathrin; Chaoul, Alejandro; Engle, Rosalinda et al. (2015) Couple-based Tibetan yoga program for lung cancer patients and their caregivers. Psychooncology 24:117-20
Milbury, Kathrin; Mallaiah, Smitha; Lopez, Gabriel et al. (2015) Vivekananda Yoga Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer and Their Family Caregivers. Integr Cancer Ther 14:446-51

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