FAQ
What is the "Envision the Rhythms of Life"(ERL) Program?
How much time is involved in taking part in the ERL Program?
What is the cost to take part in the program?
How is the Envision the Rhythms of Life Program different from other mind-body programs?
What are the specific symptoms and quality of life issues that this program addresses?
Will this program conflict with my religious or spiritual tradition?
What makes this program "work?"
Who created this program?
What do I do if I want to take part in the clinical trial?
Who is eligible to take part in the clinical trial?
What if I want my organization to offer the ERL program?
What if I have more questions?
What is the "Envision the Rhythms of Life"(ERL) Program?
The Envision the Rhythms of Life program teaches you to engage your mind, your emotions and your imagination to modify your physiology, biochemistry and mood state through classes and practice sessions. This program utilizes the practice of imagery, engaging all five senses as well the mind and emotions for a specific purpose. The purpose of the program is to improve quality of life and health outcomes for cancer survivors.
Return to TopHow much time is involved in taking part in the ERL Program?
The ERL program is offered in two different ways: In 2009 and 2010, the class is offered as a clinical trial. If you take part in the clinical trial, you would be officially enrolled in the study for one year. However, most of your time commitment would be over a period of roughly four and a half months. During that 4.5 month time period, you would have approximately five appointments to go through an informed consent process, gather physiological data and fill out symptoms assessment instruments. The first appointment is typically 2.5 hours. Follow-up appointments are typically 1 to 1.5 hours.
Then, you would attend five consecutive classes on Saturdays, all within a 29 day period of time. The classes last four hours (you will have lots of breaks) and will be either in the morning, or afternoon. You would then practice what you learned in class and send the results of your practice sessions back to the instructor via e-mail. The forms to document your practice will be sent to your e-mail address automatically. You will document your practice on these forms several days a week, for four months.
Practice forms are specifically designed to be time-efficient. Some practices are only 60 seconds long; others may take up to seven minutes. The longest practice form involves listening to an audio file when you go to sleep at night. Those typically are 15 minutes long and encourage deep and restful sleep.
Because Mind Matters Research is sensitive to the fact that many cancer survivors have memory challenges, and most have low energy, we have gone out of our way to make sure the practice sessions are short, easy to perform, engaging, and that you are automatically sent e-mail reminders and practice forms each day. That said, you must practice to produce long-term changes in your physiology and biochemistry. The benefit you receive will depend on how much you practice. Ideally, the practice should become a part of your everyday life, like brushing your teeth.
In late 2010, the clinical trial will end, but the program will then be offered as a mind-body rehabilitation program. The only difference between the two is that you would not have the five appointments required for the clinical trial, and you would not take part in the data collection process that occurs during those appointments. However, you would still practice outside of class.
Return to TopWhat is the cost to take part in the program?
During the clinical trial phase, training is free. All cost for that phase is supported by funds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). When the clinical trial is over and the program is offered as a mind-body rehabilitation program, there will be a fee. The fee will depend upon where the class is offered and the costs set by the sponsoring partner hospital, out-patient clinic, or non-profit organization. For fee information, contact Mind Matters Research LLC, at (907) 868-7737, or (toll free) 1-866-266-7633 or by e-mail at lfreeman@mindmattersresearch.com Return to Top
How is the Envision the Rhythms of Life Program different from other mind-body programs?
First and foremost, this program has been clinically tested with funding provided by the National Cancer Institute. Second, this program is quality controlled so that the information and process is consistent class after class. Third, this program is kept current. Since scientific research changes with time, Mind Matters Research assures that the most current and accurate information is always included in the program.
Significantly, this program is designed, based on the best scientific evidence, to address the symptoms and quality of life issues specific to cancer survivors.
Return to TopWhat are the specific symptoms and quality of life issues that this program addresses?
According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, many breast cancer survivors (and many other cancer survivors as well) suffer late-term and long-term effects caused by the cancer treatments that saved their lives. Those symptoms include cognitive deficits (chemo brain), fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, depression, and in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This program is designed to address those exact symptoms. Symptoms can vary widely from survivor to survivor, and some persons have all these symptoms, while others have only one symptom, or even no symptoms. Survivors with no symptoms are fortunate, and this class was not created for them.
Return to TopWill this program conflict with my religious or spiritual tradition?
No. In fact, since imagery exists in every religious and spiritual tradition worldwide, all persons of faith can participate in this program. Diverse religious and spiritual groups, and also persons who do not identify with a specific religious tradition, have successfully taken part in this program.
However, persons taking part in the program are encouraged to explore their own spirituality as a part of this program, but within the framework of their own religious tradition. This is encouraged because research shows that practice of one's religious or spiritual tradition improves health outcomes.
Return to TopWhat makes this program "work"?
This program is based on the integration of cutting edge scientific research, pulled from a broad spectrum of scientific, mind-body disciplines. For example, research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology is woven throughout the program, as is research on the body's ability to condition itself to behave in different ways. We know, for example, that immune cells can become conditioned to respond in particular ways, based on what our mind and emotions are focused on. You can also 'train' your heart to improve its flexibility and train your brain to produce more focused brainwaves. Improved focus and stimulation of new neuronal growth is based on brain plasticity research. Research on relaxation, imagery, and breath is also woven throughout the course. The underlying thread of the course is always imagery - the ability to engage your imagination in a way that specifically modifies physiology, biochemistry, mood state and health outcomes.
Return to TopWho created this program?
The Envision the Rhythms of Life Program is the final product of a lifetime of work and research. Lyn Freeman, Ph.D., is the creator of the program. She has authored college textbooks and medical manuals to educate health and medical providers on mind-body and complementary medicine research. Her Mosby's textbook was nominated for health sciences book of the year. She has taught mind-body medicine at different universities, for degree and continuing education credit. This Phase II clinical trial is part of her research. You can read more about Dr. Freeman in the About Us section.
Return to TopWhat do I do if I want to take part in the clinical trial?
You begin by first having a pre-screening phone conversation with Dr. Freeman. This allows Dr. Freeman to answer any of your questions not covered here. It also allows Dr. Freeman to determine if you are potentially eligible and committed to taking part in a clinical trial. If you are potentially eligible and want to take part, Dr. Freeman will then send you a medical release form that you will need to complete and return to her. Then, the cancer research nurse for the study will make a final determination of your eligibility.
You will also need to have a referral from your oncologist, breast surgeon, or current treating physician. Your physician can refer you directly, or you may take the referral form to your physician/oncologist and ask him or her to refer you. In most cases, patients take the form to their physician, since most have been out of treatment for awhile.
Return to TopWho is eligible to take part in the clinical trial?
Men and women diagnosed with breast cancer who have completed their chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery are potentially eligible. You may have had one or all of those treatments. The requirement is that you must have completed whatever treatments you and your doctor decided on for six weeks before you attend the first classroom session. Recruitment in Alaska has ended. In Seattle, the first class begins in April, 2010.
So, that means even if you are currently in treatment, you may still be eligible to participate because your treatments may be completed before the study begins. Check with Dr. Freeman about dates and times of class and your potential eligibility.
Return to TopWhat if I want my organization to offer the ERL program?
If you are a hospital, outpatient clinic or health-related non-profit or for-profit organization and want to bring the ERL program to patients in your area, contact Dr. Freeman about partnering with Mind Matters Research LLC to deliver the program "live" or via videoconferencing/telemedicine camera systems.
Mind Matters Research is always actively seeking partners to make the program available to as wide an audience as possible. Also, review the information under the "medical providers" section. You can also contact Dr. Freeman directly by calling (907) 868-7737 or (toll free) 1-866-267633 or by e-mailing her at lfreeman@mindmattersresearch.com.
Return to TopWhat if I have more questions?
Contact Dr. Freeman for a phone pre-screening appointment. You can reach her at (907) 868-7737 or (toll free) 1-866-266-7633 or by e-mail at lfreeman@mindmattersresearch.com.
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