A Pilot Mind Body Resiliency Intervention Targeting Fear of Recurrence among Cancer Survivors.
OBJECTIVE Interventions for fear of recurrence (FOR) of cancer have nominal effects, perhaps due to limited integration of empirically supported skills. This pilot trial tested the acceptability and feasibility of a multimodal, mind body resiliency intervention targeting FOR among survivors of various cancers. METHODS Early stage cancer survivors 330 months post treatment were recruited to participate in an eight session in person mind body resiliency group intervention that taught relaxation skills, cognitive behavioral techniques, healthy lifestyle behaviors, mindfulness meditation, and positive psychology skills all targeted for FOR. Primary outcomes were feasibility (enrollment rate, session attendance, survey completion, skills practice) and acceptability (enjoyableness, convenience, helpfulness, relevance) Patient reported outcomes (FOR, uncertainty intolerance, cancer related uncertainty, perceived stress, resiliency, positive affect, and coping skills) were collected at baseline, post intervention, +1 month, and +3 months. Exit interviews assessed survivors' reported benefits. RESULTS Participants (N 4 groups, 23 survivors, enrollment response rate 58% included survivors of seven common cancer types who were on average 12 months post treatment. Attendance was high (M 6.1 sessions) and 96% of survivors completed all surveys. Sustained increases in relaxation skills practice 3+ days/week were reported (baseline 16% post intervention 76% +3 months 71% Most sessions (87% were rated as highly or very highly acceptable. Moderate to large (d 0.87) improvements in FOR severity were observed post intervention (p .01) and across assessments (p .01) with similar changes observed in other patient reported outcomes. Exit interviews revealed behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and existential benefits. CONCLUSIONS The targeted mind body resiliency intervention shows promising acceptability, feasibility, and favorable changes in FOR and coping skills practice. Further adaptation and testing in a randomized trial are warranted. ClinicalTrials.govRegistration Number: NCT03695406.
Journal of psychosomatic research