Compassion Meditation for Cancer Survivor-Caregiver Dyads

CBCT® was designed at Emory University by Lobsang Tenzin Negi. CBCT® is a secular adaptation of techniques derived from traditional Tibetan Buddhist methods for cultivating compassion known as lo-jong. Over the course of 8 weeks there will a total of 8 CBCT® sessions, one session per week, led by the CBCT® instructor. Dyads will attend the weekly CBCT® classes together. Each weekly session will last for 90 minutes and will begin with brief meditation to focus attention. The instructor will then articulate content and goals of the current week, after which a group discussion led by the instructor will take place. A session will end with a 20-30 minute meditation. Dyads will be encouraged to practice a minimum of 10 minutes per day at home, and together as a dyad if possible.

The cancer health education (CHE) intervention is an adaptation of the in-person program called Health Discussion, a protocol used by our group previously. The CHE will focus on relevant topics to health and cancer including 1) cancer advocacy, 2) health and cancer biology, 3) nutrition, 4) lifestyle interventions such as physical activity and goals for physical activity, 5) the importance of good sleep, 6) the impact of stress, and 7) mental health and social support. CHE will also discuss current events related to cancer. Over the course of 8 weeks there will be a total of 8 sessions, one session per week. Each session will last for approximately 90 minutes.