Dados do Trabalho

Título

IMPACTS OF MINDFULNESS PROGRAM FOR CAREGIVERS OF WOMEN WITH CERVICAL CANCER SUBMITTED TO CHEMORADIOTHERAPY

Introdução

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Caregivers of oncology patients experience chronic long-term stress that may benefit from new complementary therapies such as mindfulness-based skills (MBS) programs. However, little is known about the challenges of recruiting caregivers to research on MBS and complementary therapies.

Objetivo

Investigate the impact of MBS program for caregivers of women with cervical cancer submitted to chemoradiotherapy.

Método

A cohort of 60 caregivers was enrolled at a public academic center of cancer treatment. MBS Intervention group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30) were paired for age and prospectively evaluated for six months. The MBS intervention consisted of 7 weekly sessions of mindfulness meditation, relaxation, autogenic training, biofeedback, and guided imagery. The Quality of life (QoL) was assessed by the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC); distress was evaluated by Distress Thermometer, and salivary cortisol by Salivette®. Student’s T and Chi-square tests assessed the differences between groups. Significance level was set at 5%.

Resultado

Both groups were similar in relation to marital status, education, height, and weight; age of participants in MBS intervention group ranged from 32 to 56 years and in control group from 34 to 62 years. The QoL in control group decreased significantly (p = 0.047) when compared to the MBS intervention group. There was significant association between participation in MBS program and decrease of Distress Thermometer (p = 0.001) when compared to the control group, which worsened (p = 0.005). Salivary cortisol levels increased in the control group (p < 0.001) and remained in the MBS intervention group (p = 0.801).

Conclusão

Both qualitative and quantitative assessments suggest that a 7-week MBS program may prevent increase in salivary cortisol levels, as well as improve general wellbeing and the QoL in caregivers of cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation.

Palavras-chave

Caregivers; Cervical cancer; Chemoradiotherapy; Quality of life; Salivary cortisol; Stress/distress; Psycho-oncology.