Mind Matters Research LLC

Mission

Dance of the Neuropeptides
Please Note: Clips contain NO audio
Note: Above animation requires flash player. click here to go directly to the site.

To improve the quality of life and well-being of cancer patients through the development, testing, delivery and successful marketing of the disease-specific ENVISION Imagery Programs. To maintain ENVISION program integrity by systematic assessment of patient health outcomes and behavioral change and by certification of instructors. To overcome barriers to access of care for cancer patients by developing and successfully delivering a suite of training, educational and certification ENVISION program materials delivered through multi-media materials and in classroom settings.

OUR STORY

The original organization (Mind Matters Health Systems) was first conceived by Lyn Freeman in 1992. In the beginning, Mind Matters Health Systems (not yet an Limited Liability Corporation nor a research center) offered evidence-based training and classes on mind-body interventions, complementary and alternative medicine and integrative health care. Early customers included the University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Hospital and individual chronic disease patients. While developing Mind Matters Health Systems and its associated organization, CompMed Alaska, Dr. Freeman authored the textbook "Mosby's Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach." The first edition, published in late 1999, was nominated for Health Sciences Book of the Year. Now in its third edition, this textbook is used in universities across the U.S. and in other countries. The more than 6,000 clinical trials and studies surveyed in the textbook are the foundation on which the ERL program was built.

In 2003, Dr. Freeman decided to extend the scope of Mind Matters Health Systems to make it eligible as a grant-funded research agency. She was awarded her first National Cancer Institute grant in 2004 and utilized those funds to create and test the mind-body precepts that later became the "Envision the Rhythms of Life" (ERL) Program. Her initial research was completed in early 2006 and outcomes of that study were submitted for publication. The publications are available elsewhere on this website.

In 2006, Dr. Freeman pursued Phase II funding to finalize the ERL Program. However, her research pursuits were soon put on hold when her husband and research partner, Derek Welton, was diagnosed with advanced thyroid cancer. During Derek's treatment for cancer, Dr. Freeman applied for and received several small grant awards to support the future development of the ERL program. However, her attention was primarily focused on supporting her husband during his treatment and recovery efforts.

As Derek's condition improved in late 2007, husband and wife again submitted an application for Phase II National Cancer Institute funding. In September, 2008 they received notice that their efforts had been successful and the ERL program was soon finalized. With Phase II funding, Mind Matters Research evolved into Mind Matters Research LLC. Dr. Freeman became CEO of the corporation, and Derek Welton its CFO/CTO. Currently, the ERL program's efficacy is being tested with breast cancer survivors in Alaska and Seattle (Grant # 2 R44CA117597-02A2).

The ERL program was developed to provide ease of intervention delivery; to improve quality of life; to reduce barriers to access of care; and to alleviate the late-term and long-term effects of breast cancer treatment. The effects of breast cancer treatment include cognitive impairment ("chemo brain"), fatigue, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression.

Today, the ERL program consists of a suite of training and educational materials that can be delivered live or through videoconferencing. Program materials for end-users (breast cancer survivors) consist of:


In addition to on-site program training, videoconferencing also allows live, interactive, personal classroom delivery to locations where certified trainers may not be available.

ERL program quality is maintained by certification of trainers and ongoing assessment of patient satisfaction and outcomes. The ERL program utilizes a quality improvement model. There are currently few studies of imagery as therapy specifically for breast cancer patients, and no other replicated imagery studies of imagery as supportive therapy to specifically overcome the Institute of Medicine (IOM) identified late-term and long-term effects of cancer treatment. ERL provides a program, based on documented outcomes, that is available to trained professionals and breast cancer survivors throughout the United States.

Mind Matters Research LLC, Dr. Freeman and Derek Welton will seek to expand the ERL program's research by partnering with hospitals, out-patient clinics, and non-profit organizations across the country.


Return to top