Online compassion meditation for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers

Leveraging social connection by including informal caregivers in an internet video conference-based compassion meditation intervention to reduce psychological distress in breast cancer survivors

NIH-funded research University of Arizona · NIH-11158601

This project offers an online compassion meditation program for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers to help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression after treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Arizona NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tucson, United States)
Project IDNIH-11158601 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many breast cancer survivors experience anxiety and depression after treatment, and this project aims to help by offering an online meditation program. Unlike other programs, this one focuses on compassion meditation, which helps build social connection and reduce feelings of isolation. It also includes informal caregivers, recognizing their important role in supporting survivors. The program is delivered through video conferences, making it accessible from home, and seeks to improve stress physiology.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are breast cancer survivors who experience anxiety or depression after treatment and have an informal caregiver willing to participate with them.

Not a fit: Patients who are not breast cancer survivors or do not experience psychological distress after treatment may not find direct benefit from this specific program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could provide breast cancer survivors and their caregivers with an accessible and effective way to reduce psychological distress and improve overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: While mindfulness meditation has shown success in reducing distress, this approach is novel in its focus on compassion meditation and the inclusion of informal caregivers via online video conferencing.

Where this research is happening

Tucson, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast Cancer survivorCancer SurvivorCancer Treatment
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.