Support for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers through meditation.
Official title: Psycho-Spiritual Management for Patients with Advanced Cancer and their Family Caregivers
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10927448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to see if a special meditation program can help patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers feel better emotionally and spiritually, by having them join together in four online meditation sessions, and it will compare this to regular care and a support group.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $630,459 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276035-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers who are experiencing emotional distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently experiencing significant emotional or spiritual distress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers cope with emotional and spiritual distress through a family-focused meditation intervention. The study will involve patient-caregiver pairs who will participate in a series of four meditation sessions delivered via videoconferencing. By comparing this intervention to usual care and a social support group, the research aims to determine the effectiveness of meditation in improving mental health and spiritual well-being. The approach recognizes the interconnectedness of patients and caregivers in managing the challenges of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the emotional and spiritual well-being of patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that positive psychology interventions can improve mental health outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Milbury, Kathrin — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Milbury, Kathrin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Helping Advanced Cancer Patients and Families Plan Ahead with a Resilience-Building Web Program
A web-based resilience program is being tested to help people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers have meaningful conversations and complete advance directives.
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Web program to help people with advanced cancer and their caregivers talk about future medical wishes
This project tries a web-based resilience program to help adults with advanced cancer and their family caregivers talk about future care and complete advance directives.
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Psycho-Spiritual Support for Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Family Caregivers
A program tests a four-session, family-focused meditation delivered by video to help people with advanced cancer and their caregivers feel less depressive and spiritually distressed.
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Caregivers and Patients Support for Advanced Cancer
A doctor-in-training is developing a telehealth five-session program to help patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers manage their psychosocial needs and quality of life.
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Psychospiritual support for people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers
A four-session family-focused meditation program delivered by videoconference aims to help people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers cope with depression and spiritual distress.
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Helping Families Support Loved Ones with Advanced Cancer in Making Health Decisions
This project offers a program to teach family caregivers of people with advanced cancer how to best support their loved ones when making important health choices.
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.