Pilot Study of a Wearable EEG Headband as a Meditation Device for Breast Cancer Survivors
This early phase I trial evaluates the feasibility and impact of a meditation headband system (MUSE-S) for breast cancer survivors. Anxiety and insomnia are among the most common distresses in breast cancer survivors during and after chemotherapy, in part due to the side effects of chemotherapy, fear of cancer coming back, progression of the cancer, and uncertainty of the future. These distresses impair patients' well-being and quality of life (QOL) in general, and their cancer treatment adherence and effectiveness in particular. Meditation has been demonstrated to be an effective management tool of stress and anxiety and is given the highest level of evidence (grade A) in the systematic review-based guidelines by the Society of Integrative Medicine. The portable, interactive, electroencephalographic (EEG) Muse headband guided meditation has been shown to improve fatigue, QOL, and stress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The MUSE-S Headband System may decrease anxiety and insomnia among breast cancer survivors.
• Age between 18-80
• Breast cancer first diagnosed with stage 1-4 breast cancer in the past 10 years
• Patients report experiencing anxiety and insomnia both rated \> 3 on a 0-10 scale (with 0 indicating none) at the time of enrollment
• Patients on anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medication must be on stable dose for 1 month prior to study enrollment and must stay on that same dose throughout the trial
• Has smart phone or tablet
• Patient willing to use Google-based anonymous email account to sign up for MUSE
• Be willing to provide informed consent and complete all aspects of the study
• Have no contraindicating comorbid health condition which would interfere with the proper use of the Muse-S (trademark) system, as determined by the clinical investigators