Engaging Patients in Research That Involves Meditation: Religious Concerns and Nursing Implications

Studies evaluating the use of meditative practices for supporting symptom management among patients undergoing cancer treatment have increased substantially in recent years. Although meditative practices as adjuncts to promoting health have become mainstream, concerns that such strategies conflict with traditional religious tenets have co-occurred. In the context of a 12-week sequential multiple assignment randomized trial of home-based meditative practices and reflexology delivered to patients with cancer by or with family caregivers to manage symptoms, early attrition was identified in the meditative practices arm.

Finding religious concerns were factors contributing to attrition; the purpose is to describe adjustments to the training protocol for study recruiters and interveners when enrolling participants and teaching patient-caregiver dyads meditative practices.

The training protocol for recruiters and interveners was adapted to address religious concerns related to meditative practices.

Since initiation, recruiters and interveners have appreciated the adapted protocol, which has improved their capacity to respond to religious concerns. Participants have responded well to consideration of the practices as mindful movements coordinated with breath.

Given broader application of meditation in symptom management studies, researchers will need to be ready to address religious concerns. It is essential that protocols for introducing meditation are broadly presented to respond to concerns of patients and cancer caregivers regarding perceived conflicts with their specific religious beliefs.

As the provision of integrative care options that include meditation training for patients grows, nurses require awareness of potential barriers and strategies to ameliorate religious concerns.