Stress Management and Resilience Training (SMART) Intervention for Family Caregivers of Individuals With Advanced Cancer

Launched by MAYO CLINIC · Jun 12, 2018

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

FCGs experience stress and extensive demands in providing care for those with head and neck cancer. Teaching the principles of mindfulness and compassion to FCGs has the potential to protect their psychological health and well-being. This may allow them to provide effective, compassionate care to patients, which ultimately puts the needs of the patient first.

Mindfulness interventions have demonstrated decreased stress and anxiety, and improved self-compassion for individuals, but entail numerous sessions over several weeks, a barrier for caregivers. The SMART program, a brief mindfulness ...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Primary caregiver of patient with advanced head and neck cancer receiving chemotherapy, living with the patient at least 50% of the time during treatment, able to read and speak English, cognitively intact, able to take SMART class within 2 weeks of enrollment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Self-identified mental health diagnoses, less than 18 years of age, not living with patient at least 50% of the time, unable to read and speak English