Guided Meditation for Cancer

Overseen By The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Incarcerated, Dementia, ICU, Hearing impairment

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether guided meditation can reduce anxiety before surgery for cancer patients. Pre-surgery anxiety can increase postoperative pain and impact recovery. The study compares 10 minutes of guided meditation to the use of noise-canceling headphones to determine which is more effective. It seeks participants who are scheduled for cancer surgery and can understand English. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that may enhance pre-surgery care for future patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using guided meditation to reduce anxiety before surgery.

What prior data suggests that guided meditation is safe for reducing pre-operative anxiety in cancer patients?

Research has shown that guided meditation is generally safe for most people, including those with cancer. Studies have found that mindfulness practices, such as guided meditation, often lead to positive health effects, including reduced anxiety, less stress, and improved quality of life. Strong evidence supports these benefits for cancer patients and survivors.

Previous research indicates that patients find mindfulness techniques practical and well-received, meaning they are easy to do and generally liked. Little evidence exists of serious side effects from guided meditation. Overall, this approach is well-tolerated and considered safe for most people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about guided meditation for cancer patients because it offers a non-invasive, stress-reducing approach before surgery. Unlike traditional methods such as medication for anxiety or pain relief, guided meditation provides a mental relaxation technique that doesn't involve drugs or side effects. Additionally, the use of noise-cancelling headphones as a comparator highlights the potential of creating a calming environment without pharmaceutical intervention. This trial aims to explore whether these methods can improve patient outcomes by reducing pre-surgery stress and anxiety.

What evidence suggests that guided meditation might be an effective treatment for pre-operative anxiety in cancer patients?

Research has shown that guided meditation, which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce anxiety in patients undergoing surgery, particularly for cancer. Studies have found that mindfulness techniques like meditation lower anxiety and increase patient comfort. Reducing anxiety before surgery is important, as it can lead to less pain and a better recovery afterward. Evidence supports meditation as an effective way to manage anxiety related to cancer. Overall, guided meditation appears promising for reducing anxiety before cancer surgery. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Maryanna Klatt, PhD

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with uterine tumors or cancer who are scheduled for surgery. Participants should be interested in trying guided meditation to potentially reduce their anxiety before the operation.

Inclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for surgery to treat my cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

Currently incarcerated

Have a hearing impairment that would make them unable to hear the recorded meditation

I have been diagnosed with dementia.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-Operative Intervention

Participants undergo a 10-minute session of either guided meditation or wearing noise-cancelling headphones prior to surgery

10 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for post-operative outcomes, including anxiety and opiate use, for up to 6 months

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Guided Meditation

Trial Overview

The study is examining if guided meditation can help lower pre-operative anxiety compared to sitting in silence. Patients' experiences and recovery may benefit from reduced anxiety without relying on medication.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm I (guided meditation) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients listen to 10 minutes of guided meditation prior to surgery.

Group II: Arm II (noise cancelling headphones) Active Control 3 Interventions

Patients wear noise cancelling headphones for 10 minutes prior to surgery.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

350

Recruited

295,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A systematic review of 83 studies involving 6703 participants found that 8.3% experienced adverse events (AEs) related to meditation, with higher prevalence in observational studies (33.2%) compared to experimental studies (3.7%).

The most common adverse events included anxiety (33%), depression (27%), and cognitive anomalies (25%), indicating that meditation can lead to negative effects, even in individuals without prior mental health issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in meditation practices and meditation-based therapies: a systematic review. Farias, M., Maraldi, E., Wallenkampf, KC., et al.[2021]

A clinical trial involving 40 hospitalized cancer patients tested two meditation practices, Isha Kriya (IK) and meditative slow breathing (MSB), showing that both practices were acceptable, with 12 out of 15 participants responding positively to the meditation experience by day 7.

The study faced challenges in feasibility, as only 39% of eligible patients participated, and factors like high morbidity and limited time for meditation hindered consistent practice, suggesting that future research should focus on shorter-term outcomes and better support for participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized Feasibility Study of Meditative Practices in Hospitalized Cancer Patients. Narayanan, S., Reddy, A., Lopez, G., et al.[2021]

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) shows promising psychological benefits for cancer patients, as indicated by various instruments measuring its impact, although the effectiveness of these instruments varies.

The review highlights the need for more rigorous intervention studies on MBSR in cancer care to better understand its benefits and to refine the tools used to measure its effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring the psychological impact of mindfulness meditation on health among patients with cancer: a literature review. Matchim, Y., Armer, JM.[2007]

Five studies on meditation interventions for cancer patients showed that while the design did not isolate meditation's effects, four of them reported significant improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety.

There is a growing recognition that meditation may enhance spiritual well-being, which could positively impact the quality of life for cancer patients, but more rigorously designed studies are needed to confirm these effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Does meditation improve the quality of life for patients living with cancer?]. Lamanque, P., Daneault, S.[2018]

Mindfulness meditation (MM) can have side effects, particularly related to mental health, physical health, and spiritual well-being, highlighting the need for safety considerations in research.

The paper provides practical tools for researchers, including screening procedures to assess participant contraindications and guidelines for MM training, based on a review of 17 primary studies and 5 secondary reports on meditation side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness meditation research: issues of participant screening, safety procedures, and researcher training. Lustyk, MK., Chawla, N., Nolan, RS., et al.[2022]

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