Understanding preferences for a mindfulness-based stress management program among caregivers of hematopoietic cell transplant patients.
C Vinci, M Reblin, H Jim and 3 others
PMID 30396616WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of transplant patients said they would have been willing to try mindfulness strategies to manage stress, especially if offered early, once weekly for 30 to 60 minutes, and through both in-person and mobile options.
Leaving the patient was a barrier.
Key findings
01After hearing descriptions, most said mindfulness strategies would have been useful and acceptable: 78% endorsed informal strategies, 83% were willing to try them, 89% endorsed formal meditation, and 83% were willing to try formal meditation.
02Most preferred once-weekly sessions of 30 to 60 minutes, a mix of in-person and mobile, app, or website delivery, and timing that included both inpatient and outpatient phases.
03The most common barrier was difficulty leaving their patient.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The final sample was 18 caregivers, all caring for a patient with an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant, so it cannot be generalized to other caregivers. Caregivers were interviewed 1 to 3 years after their patient's transplant, not while actively caregiving. They heard descriptions of mindfulness and meditation but did not practice them. The study reported stated willingness and preferences, not actual enrollment, attendance, stress, or health outcomes. One initially screened participant was later found ineligible because the patient's transplant was not for cancer.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. The study was supported by National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health grants, including a Cancer Center grant.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that mindfulness helps transplant caregivers. The study only asked caregivers to imagine a described program after hearing definitions, and it measured their stated willingness, not actual participation or stress outcomes.