Background: Mindfulness-based approaches have been found to be beneficial for patients with cancer. Research has found improvements in sleep, depression, anxiety, and general distress among patients with cancer. This presentation will describe the development and implementation of an 8-week mindfulness group. Veterans at any stage of cancer treatment were eligible to participate and were provided the opportunity to invite a family member or caregiver. The groups were facilitated by 2 psychologists. Participants were recruited in the chemotherapy room and by referral from 2 oncologists. Recruitment challenges included the following issues: the distance the individual lived from the VA facility, other commitments that conflicted with the date and time of the group lack of transportation, or the perception that the individual did not need the services. In addition, mental illness stigma was a factor, as some individuals indicated a reluctance to receive services associated with psychology.
Methods: The weekly group sessions were structured in the following manner: check in/socialization, mindfulness practice, and assignment of out-of-session practice. The check in/ socialization provided an opportunity to assess participants’ home practice, note successes, and address barriers to mindfulness practice at home. In addition, the check in/socialization served to foster peer support and group cohesion as participants shared their perspectives and provided suggestions and encouraging feedback to one another. This aspect of the group also provided opportunities for participants to relate their cancer treatment experience (eg, pain, fatigue, physical discomfort, treatment impact on physical appearance, and intimate relationships) to the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness practice included exercises focusing on the mindfulness skills of nonjudgmental observing/noticing, accepting/allowing, and self-compassion. Specifically, participants mindfully attended to the breath, body sensations, and awareness of their physical environment in the present moment. In addition, participants engaged in mindful eating. Out-of-session practice was assigned weekly and participants were asked to practice at home the skills they learned in group and report on their progress during the next session.
Conclusions: The presentation provides the nature of the collaboration between the cancer team and mental health services and recommendations for promoting success at other facilities.
