Couple-Based Meditation for Metastatic Lung Cancer Patients and Their Partners

Couple-Based Meditation for Metastatic Lung Cancer Patients and Their Partners

Objectives:

Our specific aims are to:

Aim 1: Examine the feasibility of a couple-based meditation program in 50 patients with metastatic lung cancer and their partners.

Aim 2: Establish the initial efficacy of a couple-based meditation program in patients and their partners regarding physical, psychological, and spiritual quality of life outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS ONLY: Diagnosed with stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
2. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS ONLY: Currently receiving treatment (e.g. radiotherapy, chemotherapy) at MD Anderson Cancer Center
3. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS ONLY: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of less than or equal to 2
4. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS ONLY: Have a romantic partner with whom they have resided for a minimum of 6 months
5. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS AND PARTNERS: Must be at least 18 years old
6. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS AND PARTNERS: Able to read and speak English
7. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS AND PARTNERS: Able to provide consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS AND PARTNERS: Not oriented to time, place, or person as deemed by the clinical team
2. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS AND PARTNERS: Regular (self-defined) participation in psychotherapy or a formal cancer support group
3. ALL PHASES, PATIENTS AND PARTNERS: Prior enrollment in a couple-based mind-body intervention research study (protocols 2011-1179, 2013-0496, 2014-0036) conducted by the principal investigator including phase 1 or phase 2 of the current study.