Virtual Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program for underserved Minnesota cancer patients
Official title: A Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Patients With Cancer Experiencing Stress Who Live in Underserved and Rural Regions of Minnesota
Run by Mayo Clinic · NCT07291011 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests if a virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course can reduce emotional distress and improve mental well-being for cancer patients in underserved or rural parts of Minnesota.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 45 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Mayo Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Rochester, Minnesota) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 5, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 15, 2029 |
| Study ends | November 15, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07291011 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adult cancer patients in Minnesota (current or past cancer) who report emotional distress >4/10, have a smartphone or computer, speak English, and have a life expectancy of at least 12 months are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active psychiatric illness, life expectancy under 12 months, those who cannot use English, or those without internet-capable devices are unlikely to benefit from this virtual program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional program delivers an 8-week virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course to cancer patients living in underserved or rural regions of Minnesota, with interventions including guided mindfulness/relaxation sessions and regular questionnaires. Participants must have a history of or current cancer, report emotional distress greater than 4 out of 10 in the prior two weeks, have access to a smartphone or computer, and be English-speaking with life expectancy over 12 months. The study collects patient-reported outcomes through questionnaires and supplements data with electronic health record review to track clinical context. Patients with active psychiatric disease or limited life expectancy are excluded to prioritize safety and appropriate intervention fit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could give patients easier access to mental health tools that reduce emotional distress and improve coping and overall well-being from home.
How similar studies have gone: Previous MBSR programs have shown benefits for reducing distress and improving quality of life in cancer populations, though virtual delivery focused on underserved rural communities has been less extensively studied.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a history of cancer, or currently have cancer * Patients reporting \> 4/10 emotional distress on a 0-10 scale within the past six months * Patients with a Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 4 or greater * Have a computer or smartphone * Willing to complete questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English-speaking patients * Life expectancy \< 12 months * Active psychiatric disease
Where it's running
-
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stacy D. D'Andre, MD — Mayo Clinic in Rochester
- Study coordinator: Clinical Trials Referral Office
- Email: mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu
- Phone: 855-776-0015
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.