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Internet Video Conference-Based Compassion Meditation Intervention to Reduce Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Caregivers

Trial Status: active

This clinical trial studies how well the use of internet video conference based compassion meditation intervention works to reduce psychological distress in breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. Patients with breast cancer often experience undesirable changes in quality of life related to health after they complete cancer treatments such as increased fatigue, less than ideal mood, and increased feeling of social isolation. Sometimes these changes can last for many years after the end of cancer treatments. Family members who live with breast cancer survivors such as husbands, wives, significant others, and adult children also experience similar quality of life changes. Cognitively-based compassion training (CBCT) is an 8-week meditation-based intervention for improving depression and quality of life for breast cancer survivors. CBCT is specifically oriented toward cultivation of social connections, self-compassion, and positive affect. Another wellness program, cancer health education (HE), focuses on topics relevant to health and cancer, but is also intended for individuals who are not cancer survivors themselves. This study will determine the ability of cancer HE and CBCT to improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers, when delivered virtually and determine if these programs have a positive impact on the stress hormone, cortisol.