The Mindful-Gut Trial
Summary
We are conducting this study because we want to know if a mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) program can cause a positive change in the gut microbiome, which is the community of microbes (i.e. bacteria, fungi, and viruses) in your gut. The gut microbiome has been shown to be negatively affected by cancer treatments and we hope that this MBCR program will reduce the long-term gastrointestinal symptoms caused by these cancer treatments. With 45% of Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, many Canadians have and will be living with these chronic symptoms. As such, our study hopes to find that the MBCR program will improve the overall mental and physical health of people living with cancer by changing the gut microbiota for the better. Understanding this will help us to promote inexpensive and accessible programs to help people with cancer and to develop new ways to reduce chronic health problems after treatment for cancer.
Eligibility
Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other
Eligible ages: 18 to 150
Inclusion criteria:
You are eligible if you:
1. Are currently 18 years of age or older
2. Are diagnosed with any cancer type
3. Completed primary cancer treatments at least 1 month prior
4. Have completed chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment at least 1 month prior
5. Stages I – IV including metastatic, IF off chemotherapy/radiation treatment and stable
6. Have clinically elevated GI and/or psychosocial symptoms
7. Are currently on a stable dose of medication
8. Are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant over the course of the study
9. Are able to provide stool samples
10. Are english speaking
11. Have access to an electronic device (i.e. computer, tablet, smart phone) with internet connection
Exclusion criteria:
You are not eligible for the study if you:
1. Are currently engaged in meditation one or more times a week or having done so within the previous year
2. Have participated in an MBCR or MBSR program in the last 5 years
3. Have regularly consumed a probiotic supplement within the 1 month prior to study participation
4. Having taken antibiotics within 1 month prior to fecal collection
5. Will have medication changes over the period of the study
6. Diagnosis of a significant cognitive or developmental delay that precedes cancer diagnosis (e.g. Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder)
Participate
Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research
Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under
the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If
you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our
Access to Information page.
Additional information
Contact information
Jamie Petersson jamie.petersson@ucalgary.ca 403-797-1912
Principal investigator:
Linda Ellen Carlson
Clinical trial:
No
REB-ID:
HREBA.CC-24-0019