NCT02758197

Online MBSR Program for Cancer Survivors With Chronic Neuropathic Pain

The Effects of an Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program on Quality of Life and Immune Function Among Cancer Survivors With Chronic Neuropathic Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary treatment approach combining medical management with an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in reducing disability and improving quality of life among cancer survivors living with moderate to severe chronic neuropathic pain.

Detailed description

Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) affects close to 50% of cancer survivors. Even with the best medical treatment, some survivors continue to experience disabling pain. In our recent survey with cancer survivors, we found that the capacity to be aware of different aspects of one's day-to-day experiences, without judgment or reactivity (i.e., being mindful) predicted decreased pain intensity, pain related disability, and increased health-related quality of life among cancer survivors with CNP. Building on these findings, the present randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for cancer survivors with moderate to severe CNP. The program will benefit patients in rural and remote regions and patients with mobility issues. We will recruit 100 cancer survivors. All will have their medical treatment optimized by a pain specialist. Additionally, they will complete an 8-week online MBSR program. We hypothesize that the online MBSR program will result in less pain perception, better function and increased health-related quality of life. We will also examine the effects of the MBSR training on biomarkers of stress and immune function.

Conditions

• Cancer
• Painful Neuropathy
• Chronic Pain
• Worries; Pain or Disability

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)	Participants assigned to this group will be enrolled in an Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course directly following medical treatment optimization. The MBSR course consists of eight weekly 2-hour sessions and one 6 hour session midway through the course and involves psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, gentle stretching (very mild form of yoga), and different forms of meditation. Participants will learn ways to better cope with their pain and the disability and distress related to it with a goal of reducing the stress response that is our body's normal reaction to pain. All sessions will be conducted by a psychologist or social worker with a minimum of 2 years of experience in chronic pain management, formal MBSR training and 2 years of experience leading MBSR groups.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-07-01
• Primary completion: 2020-10-01
• Completion: 2020-10-01
• First posted: 2016-05-02
• Last updated: 2020-11-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada