Understanding preferences for a mindfulness-based stress management program among caregivers of hematopoietic cell transplant patients

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice Vol. 33; pp. 164 - 169
• Main Authors: Vinci, C., Reblin, M., Jim, H., Pidala, J., Bulls, H., Cutolo, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Attitudes; Cancer; Caregiver burden; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Female; Hematopoietic cell transplant; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - psychology; Humans; Inpatient care; Male; Meditation; Middle Aged; Mindfulness; Mindfulness - methods; Mindfulness - statistics & numerical data; Neoplasms - psychology; Neoplasms - therapy; Nursing; Oncology; Self awareness; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; Stress; Stress management; Stress, Psychological - etiology; Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; Telemedicine; Transplants & implants; Treatment Outcome; Caregivers; Oncology; Hematopoietic cell transplant; Mindfulness; Stress; Cancer
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.10.007

Informal caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant patients experience significant levels of stress throughout the caregiving process. One strategy that has been shown to aid in stress management in other populations is mindfulness. The goal of this study was to understand caregivers' experiences with mindfulness and evaluate their receptiveness to a mindfulness-based stress management program. Data were collected via in-depth phone interviews from 18 caregivers (55% female). Results indicated that about half the sample was familiar with mindfulness and/or had practiced meditation. The majority indicated that they believed a mindfulness program would have been useful for them and that they would have been willing to participate. Most indicated that a program delivered once-weekly for 60 min, during both inpatient and outpatient phases, would be preferable through a combination of in-person and mobile-based delivery. These data provide critical information for the development of future mindfulness-based interventions for this caregiving population. •The first aim of this study was to understand cancer caregivers’ experiences with mindfulness.•The second aim was to evaluate receptiveness to a mindfulness-based stress management program.•About half the sample was familiar with mindfulness and/or had practiced meditation.•Most participants indicated that they believed a mindfulness program would have been useful for them.•Majority of participants indicated that they would have been willing to participate in this type of mindfulness program.