A pilot study evaluating the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on psychological status, physical status, salivary cortisol, and interleukin-6 among advanced-stage cancer patients and their caregivers.

Purpose: To investigate whether a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for cancer (MBSR-C) improved psychological and physical symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and stress markers among advanced-stage cancer patients and caregivers.

Design: A pilot within-subject design was used.

Method: Patients previously diagnosed with advanced-stage breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer and on treatment were recruited from the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Reducing dangerous nighttime events in persons with dementia by using a nighttime monitoring system.

Background: Nighttime activity, a common occurrence in persons with dementia, increases the risk for injury and unattended home exits and impairs the sleep patterns of caregivers. Technology is needed that will alert caregivers of nighttime activity in persons with dementia to help prevent injuries and unattended exits.

Methods: As part of a product development grant, a controlled pilot study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a new night monitoring system designed for informal caregivers to use in the home.

Actigraphy in older adults: comparison of means and variability of three different aggregates of measurement.

Actigraphy has emerged as a valuable method for measuring natural sleep patterns; however, it is unclear how many consecutive nights should be measured and what sleep parameter values are typical of older adults. This study examined sleep in relatively healthy community-based older adults for 14 consecutive days. The findings present comparison values for Actiwatch-L actigraphy in older adults, and can be used to determine an appropriate length of measurement.

Virally mediated cervical cancer in the iatrogenically immunocompromised: applications for psychoneuroimmunology.

Oncogenic or high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of cancers, including cervical cancer. HPV infected individuals who are immunocompromised secondary to acquired (e.g.