In a feasibility study published online on January 5 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Einstein and Montefiore researchers led by Alyson Moadel-Robblee, Ph.D., found that peer navigators perform as well as professional instructors in delivering loving kindness meditation (LKM) to underserved, diverse cancer patients. (Peer navigators are cancer-survivor volunteers from the same sociocultural community who provide support to others with the disease.) The pilot study involved 9 cancer patients who spent a single LKM session with either a peer navigator or a professional instructor.  

Whether their sessions were led by peers or professional instructors, cancer patients were equally satisfied with the experience and reported similar benefits to their emotional well-being and sense of relaxation. LKM sessions led by peers could be a cost-effective way to enhance emotional well-being and social support for patients and to expand the role of peer navigators in diverse and underserved communities.

Dr. Moadel-Robblee is professor of epidemiology & population health, of medicine, of radiation oncology, and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein.