Using PROMIS Methodology to Create Self-Report Measures of Mindfulness and Related Concepts.

Background: Mindfulness meditation is ubiquitous in health care, education, and communities at large. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) are the focus of hundreds of NIH-funded trials given the myriad health benefits associated with this practice across multiple populations. Notwithstanding, significant gaps exist in how mindfulness concepts are measured using currently available self-report instruments.

Implementation Readiness and Initial Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Audio Intervention Compared With a Brief Music Control During Daily Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: The most common and debilitating side effects of radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PC) are fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. Previous research has reported palliative benefits from certain self-management approaches, such as mindfulness meditation.

Objective: To develop, pre-test, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and initial benefit of brief, audio-based mindfulness delivered during daily RT for PC compared to a relaxing music control.

Development and Implementation of a Culturally Informed Spanish Language Yoga Program for Latiné Women With Overweight or Obesity Diagnosed With Cancer: A Single Arm Pilot Study.

Background: Given limited yoga research in health disparities populations, we developed and evaluated a 12-week Spanish language yoga program for Latiné women with overweight or obesity affected by cancer. The program aimed to empower participants through culturally tailored yoga practice and opportunities for social connection and support.

Methods: Partnering with a community-based organization, the program was co-created by bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) yoga instructors, Latiné cancer survivor support professionals, and integrative medicine researchers.

Exploring Breast Surgeons' Attitudes on Universal Genetic Testing: A Qualitative Study.

Background: The American Society of Breast Surgeons released a consensus statement that genetic testing should be made available to all patients with a personal history of breast cancer. However, it is not clear whether physicians feel comfortable with universal genetic testing (UGT) or if they have sufficient knowledge to interpret results and manage them appropriately.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore breast surgeons' attitudes toward UGT.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for men on active surveillance for prostate cancer and their spouses: Design and methodology of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although active surveillance (AS) is an increasingly adopted treatment paradigm for management of very low risk prostate cancer, many men and their partners face a variety of AS-related psychosocial stressors. Stressors may include anxiety and fear of progression, which may negatively affect short- and long-term psychosocial adjustment and influence early withdrawal from AS in order to seek definitive therapies such as surgery or radiation. Here we describe the protocol for an NCI-funded trial, which seeks to examine the efficacy of mindfulness training compared with a time/attention-matched health promotion control condition in a geographically generalizable sample of men on AS and their spouses.

Development and Implementation of a Brief Healthcare Professional Support Program Based in Gratitude, Mindfulness, Self-compassion, and Empathy.

Objective: To highlight the development, implementation, and initial findings of a brief healthcare professional support program called "GRACE."

Background: Healthcare professionals face significant work-related stressors that when left unmanaged can negatively affect their overall well-being and contribute to burnout.

Methods: Over a 2-year period, the GRACE program was delivered to 8 clinical units at a midsized southwestern hospital.

Preliminary Efficacy of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Procedural Stress in Medical Intern Simulated Performance: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) programs have been shown to be beneficial to improve procedural skill acquisition. However, simulated procedure performance can be affected by a host of factors, including stress. This investigation examined the preliminary efficacy of bolstering an established SBML program for medical residents with a brief mindfulness intervention (called a PITSTOP) to reduce procedural stress and improve simulator performance.

A randomized pilot study of mindfulness-based stress reduction in a young adult cancer sample: Feasibility, acceptability, and changes in patient reported outcomes.

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of participation in a randomized waitlist-controlled intervention of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in a young adult cancer sample. A secondary aim was to examine patterns of change in patient reported outcomes (PROs) of physical, social, and emotional functioning.

Methods: Participants were enrolled at a large Midwestern comprehensive cancer center and randomized to MBSR or a waitlist control.

Exploring cancer survivors' attitudes, perceptions, and concerns about using medical cannabis for symptom and side effect management: A qualitative focus group study.

The purpose of this study is to gain a greater understanding of cancer survivors' attitudes, perspectives, and concerns about medical cannabinoids (MCs) for cancer symptom and side effect management. Using qualitative methods, we conducted four focus groups (n = 19) with cancer survivors recruited from a community-based cancer wellness center. Groups were audio-recorded and facilitated by experienced co-moderators who directed discussion using a semi-structured interview guide.

WeCanConnect: Development of a Community-Informed mHealth Tool for People with Disabilities and Cancer.

Background: Cancer care for people with disabilities (PWD) is rife with uncertainty and obstacles. Not only do PWD have to contend with cancer and treatment-related sequelae, but also its impact on disabling conditions and functional capacity, as well as a health care system lacking accessibility and disability competence. Peer support can address important needs for emotional and informational support.