A Randomized Trial of 21 Days of Loving Kindness Meditation for Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-being Within an Online Health Community for Patients, Family, and Friends Experiencing a Cancer Health Journey

Developing an Online Health Community Platform for Facilitating Empowerment in Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

This study aimed to develop an online health community platform for facilitating the empowerment of people with chronic diseases dwelling in the community regarding disease prevention and health promotion. The user-centered design approach included four main steps: (1) identifying the health problems and needs of target users, (2) developing the content of the platform, (3) constructing the platform, and (4) pilot testing, refinement, and finalization. An online health community platform available both in a mobile application and a Web-enabled application has been launched to facilitate empowerment and self-management by people with chronic conditions. The main components of the application comprised (1) screening for chronic diseases and health problems, (2) setting personal goals for health promotion and action planning to achieve the goals themselves, (3) offering an online health community with shared group goals that help users engage with their peers to attain their goals, and (4) creating one's own online health community and inviting others to participate. The platform has the potential to encourage people with chronic conditions to proactively engage in their own health promotion. Future studies are needed to determine the impact of the application on self-management and empowerment for its users.

Web-Based Compassion Interventions for Family Caregivers' Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of web-based compassion interventions on the mental well-being of family caregivers.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized controlled trials of web-based compassion intervention for family caregivers.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Proquest were searched from database inception until manuscript submission date. Eligible studies included family caregivers participating in web-based compassionate interventions with reported mental wellness indicators, such as self-compassion. Two independent researchers conducted a literature review, extracted data, and assessed the quality of each study using the risk of bias 2 tool. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to pool the data, followed by subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and Egger's tests.

RESULTS

Of 1095 studies evaluated, 8 randomized controlled trials (encompassing 1978 participants) were included, with 75% exhibiting low risk of bias and high-quality evidence. Meta-analysis results indicated positive effects of web-based compassion interventions on family caregivers' self-compassion [standardized mean difference (SMD), 0.33; 95% CI, 0.08-0.58; P = .009] and mindfulness (SMD, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.03-0.90; P = .04). These interventions also demonstrated a positive impact on reducing stress (SMD, -0.32; 95% CI, -0.59 to -0.04; P = .02) and anxiety (SMD, -0.28; 95% CI, -0.47 to -0.09; P = .003). Subgroup analyses highlighted superior self-compassion outcomes for caregivers supporting individuals with mental illness and cancer compared with those caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Interventions lasting ≥8 weeks were the most common and effective.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Web-based compassion interventions benefit family caregivers by enhancing self-compassion, mindfulness, and reducing anxiety and stress. More well-designed studies are suggested for future clinical applications.

A pilot randomized study of a telephone-based cognitive-behavioral stress-management intervention to reduce distress in phase 1 oncology trial caregivers

OBJECTIVES

Caregivers of adult phase 1 oncology trial patients experience high levels of distress and face barriers to in-person supportive care. The Phase 1 Caregiver LifeLine (P1CaLL) pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and general impact of an individual telephone-based cognitive behavioral stress-management (CBSM) intervention for caregivers of phase I oncology trial patients.

METHODS

The pilot study involved 4 weekly adapted CBSM sessions followed by participant randomization to 4 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions or metta-meditation sessions. A mixed-methods design used quantitative data from 23 caregivers and qualitative data from 5 caregivers to examine the feasibility and acceptability outcomes. Feasibility was determined using recruitment, retention, and assessment completion rates. Acceptability was assessed with self-reported satisfaction with program content and participation barriers. Baseline to post-intervention changes in caregiver distress and other psychosocial outcomes were assessed for the 8-session intervention.

RESULTS

The enrollment rate was 45.3%, which demonstrated limited feasibility based on an a priori criterion enrollment rate of 50%. Participants completed an average of 4.9 sessions, with 9/25 (36%) completing all sessions and an 84% assessment completion rate. Intervention acceptability was high, and participants found the sessions helpful in managing stress related to the phase 1 oncology trial patient experience. Participants showed reductions in worry and isolation and stress.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

The P1CaLL study demonstrated adequate acceptability and limited feasibility and provided data on the general impact of the intervention on caregiver distress and other psychosocial outcomes. Caregivers of phase 1 oncology trial patients would benefit from supportive care services; a telephone-based intervention may have more utilization and thus make a larger impact.