Findings From a Provider-Led, Mindfulness-Based, Internet-Streamed Yoga Video Addressing the Psychological Outcomes of Breast Cancer Survivors.

The aim of this study was to explore the psychological outcomes of a mindfulness-based Internet-streamed yoga video in breast cancer survivors. A one-group, repeated-measures, purposive sample using a directed qualitative descriptive and convergent mixed-methods approach was used. Participants were recruited from breast oncology practices across 2 settings in the northeastern United States in April 2019. Education about the video was provided, and the link to the video was sent to participants. Demographic information, Knowing Participation in Change Short Form (KPCSF), Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), and the Generalized Anxiety Distress Scale (GAD-7) were obtained at baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks. A semistructured interview was conducted at 4 weeks. Thirty-five women (mean age = 56 years) participated. A one-group, repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated statistically significant changes occurred in all measures between week 0 and week 4: decreased GAD (t = -2.97, P = .004), improved WEMWBS (t = 2.52, P = .008), and increased KPC (t = 2.99, P = .004). Qualitative findings suggest the overall experience of the video was positive and the women would recommend its use to others. Improvements in all psychological measures were achieved with video use. Findings indicate an improvement in psychological measures and support the theory of Knowing Participation in Change. This work further contributes to accessible, flexible interventions available through the Internet and/or mobile applications aimed at improving breast cancer survivorship.

Women's experiences with antiestrogen therapy to treat breast cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To understand the experiences of women undergoing antiestrogen therapy (AET) to treat breast cancer. RESEARCH APPROACH: Content analysis of tape-recorded focus group interviews. SETTING: Breast oncology center of a large medical center in the northeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sample of 21 women undergoing AET to treat breast cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: A nonexperimental qualitative, descriptive design using open-ended interviews and content analysis to isolate themes. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Women's experiences with AET. FINDINGS: Five themes were isolated and were focused on the overall experience of having breast cancer: symptoms related to AET, shared decision making, being strong for others, discovering new priorities, and recognizing vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: Oral therapies are an increasingly popular treatment option for various types of cancer, particularly in women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. Although this type of treatment has been efficacious in terms of disease-free and overall survival, women undergoing AET face many challenges related to treatment. Healthcare providers need to understand women's perceptions of AET and its effects as a first step in the process of developing interventions to improve care. INTERPRETATION: More research is needed to distinguish whether the presence of preexisting chronic illness, differences in type of AET, age, and ethnicity impact the overall experience of women on AET. Individual interviews may be necessary to fully explore the experience. Oncology nurses should implement surveillance care to explore the effects of AET on women with breast cancer.