Movement made fun
By DAILY PRESS STAFF
DOWNTOWN Long after scars have healed and treatment has ended, many breast cancer survivors continue to experience the emotional and physical effects of the disease.
To ease those troubling lingering effects, WISE & Healthy Aging, in partnership with City of Hope, is conducting a pilot study called the “Mindful Movement Program for Breast Cancer Survivors,”and seeking participants for the 12-week program, which begins Oct. 6.
Funded by the California Breast Cancer Research Program, this Community Research Collaborative Pilot Study — known as the Mindful Movement Program — is designed to enhance self-awareness through simple body movement at the participant’s own pace and ability, said co-investigator Holly Kiger, vice president of clinical programs at WISE & Healthy Aging.
“The study’s purpose is to assess whether this new, innovative program can improve the quality of life and emotional well-being of older breast cancer survivors,” said Kiger, who is working with City of Hope research partner Rebecca Crane Okada.
Studies show that many breast cancer survivors experience lingering anxiety, depression and pain as well as altered feelings about their bodies and fears that cancer will return. Research on the potential benefits of mindfulness and movement-dance therapy is limited, which sparked the project, Kiger said.
According to Grace Cheng Braun, president and CEO of WISE & Healthy Aging, the Santa Monica nonprofit initiated the project to address the needs observed by Kiger, a clinical nurse specialist.
“Having worked with breast cancer survivors for six years, Holly is aware of their ongoing needs and concerns,” said Cheng Braun.“Beyond that, she has been involved in breast cancer survivor research,as well as with Mindful Movement concepts and philosophies. Given the population that we serve at WISE & Healthy Aging,this study is enabling us to reach out to our community in a unique and meaningful way.”
In Mindful Movement, there is no formal sitting meditation, prescribed body movements or postures. The leader encourages participants to move their bodies, often with music, in ways that are comfortable, fun, creative and natural to them.
“In the process, participants become aware of their thoughts, feelings and sensations in the present moment, and express them, without judgment, in self-directed movement,” explains Kiger.
WISE & Healthy Aging hopes to enroll 25 women in the first series of weekly, two-hour sessions, which begin Oct. 6 at its Fourth Street location. The series will be offered again next year in February and June.
Enrollees must be breast cancer survivors age 50 or older without metastatic disease who completed their treatment at least 12 months ago. Participants must be able to read and write in English. Enrollees will be randomly assigned to two groups.
One group of participants, compensated up to $145, will be asked to attend 12 weekly sessions, complete a log and questionnaires, and participate in a focus group. Participants assigned to the “control group” will complete a set of questionnaires only and will receive up to $75 in compensation as well as a free three-hour mindful movement session at the study’s conclusion. To enroll or for more information, call Marlena Ross at WISE & Healthy Aging, (310) 394-9871.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2008. Read the original PDF.