FULL LIVES AFTER BREAST CANCER

THE ENVISION THE RHYTHMS OF LIFE (ERL)

PROGRAM

Lyn Freeman, PhD.Mind Matters Research LLC

Anchorage, Alaska

Side Effects of Cancer TreatmentQuality of Life issues: The IOM Reports

Cognitive Functionality (chemobrain)FatigueStress/Anxiety/Depression/PTSDSomatization (psychological distress expressed as physical

symptoms) Sleep Disturbance

Spiritual issues raised by diagnosis and treatment

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SUPPORTIVE FINDINGSNew study published in CANCER (12/2008) Breast cancer patients who underwent intensive interventions

that reduce stress, improve mood, coping abilities and health behaviors

Demonstrated better survival rates 11 yrs later Half (55%) the risk of recurrence compared to controlsCancer-free an average of six months longer (45% reduced

risk) for patients who did suffer a recurrence Half the risk (44%) of death from breast cancer and a reduced

risk of death from all causes, not just cancer

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PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM

Trigger a “Phoenix Transformation”

Patients use the cancer experience to evoke deep understanding, gain physiological strength, learn new life skills, and short-circuit the potential for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

4Art: “Phoenix Transformation” Copyright Mind Matters Research LLC

ENTRAIN

BREATH HEART

BRAIN

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IMAGERY TO ENTRAIN BREATH, HEART AND BRAIN

EnvisionThe Rhythms

of Life(ERL)

ENVISION(Imagery)

RHYTHMS LIFE(Quality of)

Smell

Taste

Sight/Visualize

Sound

Touch/Move

Emotion

HRV

Brain

Hormonal/Chemical

TEMP

Sleep

Music/Sound

Circadian/Ultradian

CognitiveMental

Function

EmotionalMoodState

PhysicalEnergy

SpiritualExpression

+ =

Breath

Self-Esteem

PROGRAM FEATURES AND DESCRIPTION•Mechanisms

•Down-regulation of HPA axis

• reduces stress •improves immune function, well-being, & QOL

•Theoretical Foundation•Cannon•Seyle•Pavlov•Ader & Cohen•Pert•Bach-y-Rita, Taub, Merzenich & others

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What is Envision Imagery?Passive, Active, and Targeted

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PassiveImagery

Active Imagery

Targeted

Imagery

Optimal Health

Outcomes!

Class ContentClass 1: Brain plasticity, breath entrainment, story,

ritual, art, sleep evaluation and sleep audiofile Class 2: Sight, conditioning, passive imagery, PNI,

rhythm, memory, temp control, dreaming audiofile Class 3: Odor/taste, effect on brain waves, mood

state; malodors; learning with scent; HRV, breath and temperature control; emotional reframing audiofile

Class 4: Sound, conditioning and noise pollution effects; circadian, ultradian; neuropeptide animations /audiofile

Class 5: Touch, Walking Imagery; lymphadema/pain management audiofiles; long-range imagery planning 8

First Study Outcomes34 patient within-group design, 8-weeks post-

treatment, clinically & statistically significant outcomesAnxiety=40% improvement (.005)Somatization=37% improvement (.002)Depression=34% improvement (.028)Global severity index=37% improvement (<.001)Other significant improvements: Breast-cancer

specific symptoms, Spiritual, Functional, Emotional, and Social/Family well-being=range of 7-18%

improvement (.05 to .008)Cortisol rhythm=8-week trend for improvement

Results published in JSIO and ONF, 2008

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Second Clinical Study165-180 patients (Between and Within Group Design)Four comparison groups

Group A. Imagery program with instructor in the roomGroup B. Imagery program via videoconferenceGroup C. Waitlist control, for comparison to A & BGroup D: At six months, controls trained, compared to

own extended baseline ( ½ live, ½ videoconference)Study in progress; Completed in October 2010Clinically standardized assessments will measure:

Anxiety, Somatization, Depression, Global Severity Index Breast-cancer specific symptoms, Spiritual, Functional,

Emotional, Physical, and Social/Family Well-being HRV (heart rate variability) and Evoked Response Potentials

(measure of cognitive speed, concentration, and multi-tasking) 10

Delivery Options: Live or Distance

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Five Saturday classes delivered in 4-hour sessions

Original AnimationsBy XVIVONeuropeptid

esBrain

MappingHRV

Lymphedema

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USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITEPango Media

HIPAA ApprovedPass Word ProtectedMaterials Accessible

Automatic Reminders/Practice Uploads

ARTWORK TO EMBED PRACTICE

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What The Experts Think

Candace Pert, PhD, Researcher Discovered Neuropeptide Receptors

I have authored a book entitled “Molecules of Emotion” which explains my theory of the importance of neuropeptides and their receptors as the biochemicals of emotion, based on over 200 scientific papers I published as a section chief at the NIH.

I have met with Lyn, attended her scientific presentation at an NCI meeting, collaborated on her research, and am extremely excited about being a part of her project and research.

Lyn is an extremely well-respected scientist and author of the best selling research-based [Mosby] textbook on Alternative & Complementary Mind-Body Medicine.

Her Phase I pilot data suggests that Dr. Freeman is poised to produce a most meticulous, compelling and clinically important study in mind-body medicine. Of course, I am extremely enthusiastic to be able to lend my support for Phase II.

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Lorenzo Cohen, PhD, ResearcherSection Chief/ Director, Integrative Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX

As an NCI-funded mind-body researcher, I am aware of the important role that psychological factors play in improving cancer patients’ outcomes from a psychological, physiological, biological, and clinical perspective.

Relaxation and imagery have gained some acceptance within standard medical practice as a way to reduce treatment and disease-related symptoms and improve quality of life.

Dr. Lyn Freeman is a leader in the field and the imagery program she has developed [Envision the Rhythms of Life] is unique in that it engages all the senses and incorporates passive, active, and targeted forms of imagery. 

The Envision the Rhythms of Life program will ultimately benefit patients battling any form of cancer.  Data from the phase I trial is very encouraging and the program will be easy to implement nationwide.

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FUTURE DELIVERY OPTIONSThe Quality Model

Training of TrainersSix months of training

Required reading lists Written tests and essays Training presentations to the MMR board Co-training in classes lead by master instructors Certified annually Certification maintained by participant outcomes

Delivered through contractual agreement with hospitals, out-patient clinics, and non-profit cancer support groups

Publications Freeman, L.W., Cohen, L., Stewart, M., White, R., Link, J., Palmer, J.L., &

Welton, D.L. (2008). An Imagery Intervention for Recovering Breast Cancer Patients: A Phase I Clinical Trial of Safety and Efficacy Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.6 (2), 67-75.

Freeman, L.W., Cohen, L., Stewart, M., White, R., Link, J., Palmer, J.L., Welton, D.L., McBride, L., & Hild, C. (2008). Qualitative Analysis of Breast Cancer Survivor Imagery: Themes Leading to Improved Quality of Life. Oncology Nursing Forum, 35, (6), E116-E121.

Freeman, L.W. & Dirks L. (2006). Mind-Body Imagery Practice Among Alaska Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Study. Alaska Medicine, 48 (3), 74-84.

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CONTACT INFORMATIONLyn Freeman, Ph.D., CEOMind Matters Research LLC7926 Port Orford DriveAnchorage, AK 99507Phone: (907) 868-7737Fax: (907) 344-4537E-mail: lfreeman@mindmattersresearch.com

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END OF PRESENTATION

The project described was supported by Award Number R44CA117597 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health

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