Rapid deployment of virtual mind-body interventions during the COVID-19 outbreak: feasibility, acceptability, and implic
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COMMENTARY
Rapid deployment of virtual mind-body interventions during the COVID-19 outbreak: feasibility, acceptability, and implications for future care Kelly M. Trevino 1 & Nirupa Raghunathan 1 & Shelly Latte-Naor 1 & Fernanda C. G. Polubriaginof 1 & Claus Jensen 1 & Thomas M. Atkinson 1 & Nicholas Emard 1 & Christina M. Seluzicki 1 & Jamie S. Ostroff 1 & Jun J. Mao 1 Received: 22 July 2020 / Accepted: 4 September 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Introduction COVID-19 increased stress levels while reducing access to mind-body services in patients with cancer. We describe the rapid deployment of remotely delivered mind-body services to people with cancer during COVID-19, rates of participation, and acceptability from patients’ perspectives. Methods Eligible participants were patients with cancer age ≥ 18 years enrolled in a single academic cancer center’s online patient portal. Interventions included mind-body group therapy sessions in fitness, meditation, yoga, dance, tai chi, and music delivered using Zoom video conferencing. Sessions were 30–45 min and led by an integrative medicine clinician. Following each session, participants were asked to complete a three-item questionnaire assessing (1) satisfaction with the class session, (2) reduction in stress/anxiety, and (3) likelihood of recommending the class to others. Patients could also provide comments in real-time using the Zoom chat function. Results Among 5948 unique visits, the most frequently attended classes were fitness (n = 2513, 42.2%) followed by meditation (n = 1176, 19.8%) and yoga (n = 909, 15.3%). Of these visits, 3902 (65.6%) had an associated completed questionnaire. Across class types, a large majority of participants reported being extremely satisfied (n = 3733, 95.7%), experiencing extreme reductions in anxiety/stress (n = 3268, 83.8%), and being extremely likely to recommend the class to others (n = 3605, 92.4%). Fitness had the highest endorsement among class types (all p values < 0.001). Themes from the chat responses included gratitude, expressions of helpfulness, and feelings of connection. Conclusion High utilization of and satisfaction with these virtual mind-body services demonstrate the significant potential of remote delivery to facilitate patient access to services. Keywords Fitness . Meditation . Yoga . Stress . Virtual . Cancer
Introduction The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) is an unprecedented global pandemic. The threat of infection, news of overwhelmed healthcare institutions, and significant disruption of daily life are stressful [1]. People with cancer are particularly vulnerable to stress during this time due to pre-existing anxiety stemming
* Jun J. Mao [email protected] 1
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
from their symptom burden, treatment concerns, and fear of cancer progression or recurrence. This anxiety is compounded by higher susceptibility to infections, delays in diagnosis and treatment, and reduced access
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