Couples-Based Mindfulness for Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Overview

This study aims to improve relationship, psychological, and physical adjustment among young breast cancer survivors (YBCS; diagnosed at age 45 or younger) and their committed/life partners. A mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention has been designed to meet the specific needs for young breast cancer survivors and their partners. The intervention will be administered in your home by using recorded videos of a trained MBSR instructor. Before, during, and after the 8-week intervention, participants will be asked to complete surveys.

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: None (Open Label)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: July 16, 2018

Detailed Description

Participants will be young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) and their partners. Young breast cancer survivors are those diagnosed at age 45 or younger. This study includes stress reducing interventions known to have a positive influence on physical and psychological functioning that will be administered through recorded videos. The interventions include watching an hour-long video stress-reduction class, each week, for 8 weeks and practicing guided meditations. YBCS participants will be randomly assigned to either an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course designed for couples (C-MBSR) or an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course for individuals. At the end of the study all participants (regardless of what assignment) will receive both sets of stress-reducing videos. Partners of the YBCS assigned to the couples condition will also be asked to watch the 8 C-MBSR videos. Some young breast cancer survivor participants and their partners will be asked to complete provide salivary cortisol and all survivors and partners will be asked to complete the 4 surveys.

Interventions

  • Behavioral: Couples MBSR
    • Both members of the couple will be asked to participate in the weekly video sessions and activities.
  • Behavioral: Individual MBSR
    • Only the young breast cancer survivor will participate in the weekly video sessions and activities.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Couples MBSR
    • Young breast cancer survivors and their partners take part in an 8-week Couples Mindfulness-Based Stress reduction (C-MBSR) intervention. The course will be taught through recorded videos of a trained MBSR instructor. The young breast cancer survivor and partner will be asked to watch a video module, together, each week for a total of 8 weeks. The C-MBSR course consists of practicing mindful stress reduction techniques and filling out handouts. Both members of the couple will be asked to complete surveys assessing primary and secondary outcome measures administered at baseline and after final session. Participants will be asked to provide a Salivary Cortisol sample at baseline and after the 8th session. Follow up Surveys will be administered at one and three months after intervention.
  • Active Comparator: Individual MBSR
    • Young breast cancer survivors take part in an 8-week Individual Mindfulness-Based Stress reduction (I-MBSR) intervention. The course will be taught through recorded videos of a trained MBSR instructor. The young breast cancer survivor will be asked to watch a video module each week for 8 weeks in a row. The I-MBSR course consists of practicing mindful stress reduction techniques and filling out handouts. Both members of the couple will be asked to complete surveys assessing primary and secondary outcome measures administered at baseline and after final session. Participants will be asked to provide a Salivary Cortisol sample at baseline and after the 8th session. Follow up Surveys will be administered at one and three months after intervention.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Change in couple functioning measured by the Measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Change in couple functioning measured by the Measured by the Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Change in couple functioning measured by the Sexual Interest and Satisfaction Scale
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Change in couple functioning measured by the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Perceived Partner Responsiveness
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
    • This scale will be measured each week for the 8 weeks of the intervention

Secondary Measures

  • Change in anxiety scores measured by PROMIS — Anxiety
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Change in depression scores measured by the PROMIS — Depression
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Change in fatigue scores measured by PROMIS — Fatigue
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Change in stress scores measured by the Perceived Stress Scale
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Changes in physical functioning measured by the PROMIS – Physical Function
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Changes in salivary cortisol biomarker to assess stress levels
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
    • Saliva will be analyzed for cortisol and summary scores will be calculated for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).
  • Changes in trait mindfulness measured by Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale
    • Time Frame: Baseline to 6 months
    • The scale scores will be the average of items in the measure. The scale scores will be averaged to create a summary score for each condition (no individual scores will be reported).

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 18 years to 45 years old when diagnosed with breast cancer 2. Diagnosed with stage 0, I, II, III breast cancer 3. within 1 to 6 years after diagnosis of breast cancer 4. Married or unmarried and living together. 5. Living anywhere in the United States 6. Both members of the couple must understand, read, and speak English 7. Both members of the couple must have regular access to email and willingness to use the Internet. Exclusion Criteria:

1. Neither members of the couple may be experienced meditators (20 minutes daily, 5 days a week or more, for over a year) or graduates of a former MBSR class.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 45 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Collaborator
    • University of Missouri, St. Louis
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Ann Bettencourt, Dr. Ann Bettencourt – University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Ann Bettencourt, PhD, Principal Investigator, University of Missouri-Columbia

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