Reducing Emotional Distress, Enhancing Function and Improving Network Engagement in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology

Primary Objective Examine the feasibility and acceptability of MBSR with YACs. We
hypothesize that MBSR will be feasible and acceptable with this population, which will be
assessed through a semi-structured debriefing survey at the end of the study and examination
of response rate and study attrition variables.

Secondary Objectives

1. Evaluate the effects of MBSR on outcomes of health related quality of life and disease
symptoms among YACs.

2. Explore the impact of different forms of eHealth maintenance support following the MBSR
intervention (instructor-delivered, peer-delivered, no message) to help uphold
intervention effects over time.

3. Compare intervention and control groups on changes in biologic measures of stress
(blood pressure, pulse, salivary cortisol, CRP, IL-6, and IL-1b biomarkers) over a
32-week period.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Must have a diagnosis of any cancer between ages 18-39

- Must have signed and dated informed consent form, which includes agreeing to study
procedures

- Must be currently between 18-39 years of age

- Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English

- Must be able to perform basic activities of daily living

- Must be cognitively intact and free of serious psychiatric illness

- Must have the ability to use a touchscreen keypad on a tablet device

- Must be willing to commit to either the MBSR course or waitlist control condition

- Must be willing to commit to eHealth intervention maintenance conditions

- Must be willing to complete all assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

- Bedridden, or physical debilitation such that study participation would not be
feasible or would create undue hardship

- History of diagnosed severe mental illness or hospitalization for chronic psychiatric
reasons, as identified by referring physicians

- Regular user of mindfulness-based stress reduction or a similar mind-body therapy
(e.g., yoga, meditation), which is defined as ≥ 3 times a week for the past 2 weeks