Mindful Movement for Breast Cancer Survivors

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if participating in a Mindful Movement Program (MMP) (learning how to be mindful in one's movement), positively affects the body's immune functions improves mindfulness and reduces worries about cancer returning. All participants will be in this study about three months.

Detailed Description
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Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may experience psychological and physical effects long after treatment is over. Some research shows that practicing mindfulness, and movement types of activities such as qi gong or yoga may lead to improvements in emotional and physical well-being, including improved immune function. Immune function can be negatively affected by stress and worry, and this has an unknown effect on the risk of cancer recurrence. Psychological and physical interventions that help enhance an individual's wellbeing and reduce stress and worry may have a positive influence on immune function and in turn, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. While there is limited research in this area, and none with dance therapy, little attention has been given to older BCS. However, understanding of immune function suggests that older women may be the best group to target for such interventions. Previous research with BCS age 50 or older who participated in a 12-week program combining mindfulness practice with dance/movement therapy (Mindful Movement Program) demonstrated positive effects: participants were more mindful in their day-to-day living and had less worry about the cancer coming back. Participants also reported through focus groups that the Mindful Movement Program (MMP) had improved their overall well-being. No laboratory tests of the body's immune response to MMP were included.

Official Title
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Mindful Movement for Breast Cancer Survivors

Conditions
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Breast Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Mindful Movement Program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: diagnosed at age 50 or older with stage 0-III disease 6 months or more since completion of primary breast cancer treatment have a medical release from their physician English-speaking not pregnant no weekly practice of yoga, qi gong, tai chi, dance/movement therapy, or mindfulness meditation practice Exclusion Criteria: Males with breast cancer

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Mindful Movement Program<br>Mindfulness is moment-to-moment, present-centered, purposive non-judgmental awareness; Dance/movement therapy is a multidimensional approach that integrates body awareness, expression and acceptance to facilitate physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual integration of individuals | Behavioral: Mindful Movement Program<br>* Mindfulness is turning one's awareness to the present moment. Movement-dance therapy is the expression of thoughts or feelings through body movement, under the supervision of a licensed professional.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Immune markers | Improvement in serum markers of immune cell phenotype at week 18 | 18 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mindful Movement Intervention Experience | Improvement in mindfulness attitude as measured on Meditative Movement Inventory (MMI) | 18 weeks | 
| Mindful Movement Intervention Experience | Improvement in mindfulness attitude as measured on Perceived Exertion Scale (PES) | 18 weeks | 
| Mindful Movement Intervention Experience - Mindfulness Intention | Improvement in mindfulness attitude as measured on Mindfulness Intention (modified from Segal, 1-item) | 18 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cancer survivor, immune function