Recent data indicate mind-body interventions are among the most commonly used CAM therapies;however, there is evidence mind-body therapies are not readily adopted by individuals afflicted with conditions for which the therapies have demonstrated efficacy. There is considerable and growing evidence that mind-body therapies are efficacious treatments for insomnia, mood disturbance, stress, and impaired immune function;and can favorably influence self-efficacy. Family caregivers of individuals with cancer are a unique, population whose burden has been well documented. Research assessments of cancer family caregiver needs point to psychosocial and physical burdens, as well as performance strains;much of which can potentially be effectively addressed by mind-body interventions, in particular, meditation. The congruence of mind-body practice efficacy and caregiver need indicates cancer family caregivers may be a subpopulation who could benefit from certain mind-body modalities;however, no prevalence of use queries of mind-body interventions have been made of family caregivers. Proposed therefore is a study designed to characterize the potential of cancer family caregivers to espouse mind-body therapies. The investigation will use surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews to discern prevalence of use and interest in mind-body therapies, as well as barriers and facilitators to adoption of mind-body interventions among cancer family caregivers.
| Williams, Anna-Leila; Dixon, Jane; Feinn, Richard et al. (2015) Cancer family caregiver depression: are religion-related variables important? Psychooncology 24:825-31 |
| Williams, Anna-Leila; Tisch, Alison J Holmes; Dixon, Jane et al. (2013) Factors associated with depressive symptoms in cancer family caregivers of patients receiving chemotherapy. Support Care Cancer 21:2387-94 |
| Williams, Anna-Leila; Ness, Peter Van; Dixon, Jane et al. (2012) Barriers to meditation by gender and age among cancer family caregivers. Nurs Res 61:22-7 |
| Williams, Anna-leila; Bakitas, Marie (2012) Cancer family caregivers: a new direction for interventions. J Palliat Med 15:775-83 |
| Williams, Anna-Leila; McCorkle, Ruth (2011) Cancer family caregivers during the palliative, hospice, and bereavement phases: a review of the descriptive psychosocial literature. Palliat Support Care 9:315-25 |
