Online compassion meditation for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers
Official title: Leveraging social connection by including informal caregivers in an internet video conference-based compassion meditation intervention to reduce psychological distress in breast cancer survivors
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11158601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $352,085 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA264047-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are breast cancer survivors who experience anxiety or depression after treatment and have an informal caregiver willing to participate with them.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not breast cancer survivors or do not experience psychological distress after treatment may not find direct benefit from this specific program.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pace, Thaddeus — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Pace, Thaddeus
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Including informal caregivers in a video-based meditation to ease distress for breast cancer survivors
A caregiver-inclusive online compassion-meditation program is being tested to help breast cancer survivors feel less anxiety and depression.
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Using online compassion meditation with caregivers to help breast cancer survivors reduce stress
This study is looking at how having a friend or family member join breast cancer survivors in an online meditation program can help them feel less anxious and depressed after treatment, making it easier for everyone to connect and support each other from home.
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Understanding psychological distress in Black breast cancer survivors
This study looks at the emotional challenges faced by Black women who have survived breast cancer, comparing their experiences with those of White survivors, and aims to find ways to improve their mental well-being by understanding how their communication with doctors affects their coping and quality of life.
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Cancer Pain Management for Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors with Depressive Symptoms
A technology-based program helps Asian American breast cancer survivors with depressive symptoms manage chronic pain more effectively from home using a web app and mobile tools.
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Mobile app to help family caregivers in Thailand manage distress
A mobile app called CAMMA would help family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand feel less depressed and anxious through a culturally tailored mental health support program.
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Acupuncture for psychic and neural symptoms in breast cancer survivors
A study tests whether acupuncture helps improve joint pain, fatigue, and sleep problems in breast cancer survivors who are on endocrine therapy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.