Project Resonance: Adapting a music therapy singing intervention with breast cancer survivors
Singing for Breast Cancer Survivors
Shelley Johns
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
Detailed description of study
If you agree to be in the study, you will participate in one 2-hour meeting which will take place at the Indiana University-Indianapolis Campus and will be audio and video-recorded.
At the meeting, we will ask you to do the following:
• You will be asked to complete a survey with questions about your demographics, cancer history, music preferences, reasons for using and/or listening to music, mood, stress level, social support, and coping. We will also ask you to give us permission to review your medical records so we can obtain accurate information about your cancer diagnosis, treatments, and timeline.
• You will be asked to complete a 12-minute Sit-to-Stand Test (a series of one- and two-minute standing and sitting postures) while wearing electrocardiogram (ECG) devices that may include up to two types of sensors. This test will give us information as to how your body is currently responding to stress and coping. One ECG sensor has two approximate connection points, one near your right collarbone and one under your left ribcage, but the exact location will be up to you. The second ECG sensor includes a band lightly moistened with water on the inside, wrapped around your chest. So that we are able to get consistent results between each breast cancer survivor, we ask that 24 hours before the meeting you refrain from drinking alcohol, and four hours before the meeting you stop using caffeine and nicotine.
• We will sing the song(s) together which were created during the first part of this study by different study participants. You will be asked to wear the ECG while singing each song. After you sing the song(s) we will ask you to complete the 12-minute Sit-to-Stand Test again to examine how your body is responding to stress after singing the song.
• You will be asked to complete a survey about your mood and an acceptability survey about the songs and answer questions in a group discussion about your experience with one of our research staff team members and a small group of up to five other survivors.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Breast Cancer
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Age: 18 years - 100 years
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Gender: All
Inclusion Criteria
• Over 18 years old
• Female
• Identify racially as Black/African American
• Completed breast cancer treatment ≤ 10 years prior (ongoing endocrine therapy allowed)
• Able to speak and read English
• Willing to sing in front of others
• Willing to have sessions audio and video recorded
• Willing to wear ECG Firstbeat device and/or the Polar H10
• For Co-design meeting participants only: Willing to participate in four, two-hour co-design sessions in person
Exclusion Criteria
• Participant has co-morbidities that would impair participation in the study, including: heart conditions (i.e., coronary heart disease, history of heart attack, arrhythmia), adrenal issues (i.e., adrenal insufficiency, adrenal gland disorders such as Addison’s disease, Cushing syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypercortisolism, hyperaldosteronism, pituitary adenoma), severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-2 score ≥ 5 at screening50,92) active substance abuse, uncontrolled bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, history of stroke, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementia, and obvious hearing and/or communication impairment.
• Participant has an allergy or adverse reaction to adhesives, such as those found in band-aids.
This study investigates a singing intervention for breast cancer survivors who experience stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Breast cancer is a disease where cells in the breast grow out of control. This study aims to find out if singing can provide support and relief to individuals who have survived breast cancer.
Participants will attend a 2-hour meeting where they will complete surveys about their demographics, cancer history, and music preferences. They will also perform a 12-minute Sit-to-Stand Test while wearing ECG devices to measure stress response. Participants will sing songs created in the study and discuss their experiences in a group setting.
- Who can participate: Women over 18 years old who identify as Black/African American, have completed breast cancer treatment within the past 10 years, and are willing to sing in front of others can participate. They should also be able to speak and read English and be willing to have sessions recorded.
- Study details: Participants will complete surveys, perform physical tests, and sing songs. They will wear ECG devices to measure stress response during these activities.
- Study visits: The study requires 1 visits.
