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.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AT003535-03
Application #
7676187
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-LD (14))
Program Officer
Khalsa, Partap Singh
Project Start
2007-09-30
Project End
2010-09-29
Budget Start
2009-09-30
Budget End
2010-09-29
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$41,176
Indirect Cost
Name
Yale University
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
043207562
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
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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