Using online compassion meditation with caregivers to help breast cancer survivors reduce stress
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-10875297 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $334,469 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA264047-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875297 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer survivors experiencing anxiety or depression, particularly those who have recently completed treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not breast cancer survivors or those who do not have access to the internet may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how including informal caregivers in an online compassion meditation program can help breast cancer survivors manage psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, after their treatment. The program aims to enhance social connections and provide support through video conferencing, making it accessible for those who may struggle to attend in-person sessions. By focusing on both the survivors and their caregivers, the intervention seeks to improve emotional well-being and physiological stress indicators over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce psychological distress in breast cancer survivors, improving their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that meditation interventions can be effective in reducing distress in cancer survivors, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
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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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.