Supporting Caregivers During Ambulatory Cancer Surgery: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Reduce Anxiety.

Objectives: Caregivers of patients undergoing ambulatory cancer surgery frequently experience heightened anxiety while having limited access to real-time psychosocial support. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a brief, self-guided mindfulness-based audio intervention delivered in the surgical waiting room.

Methods: This pilot feasibility study used a primarily quantitative pre-post design. Informal caregivers were recruited via QR code with support from perioperative nurse liaisons. Participants completed the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) immediately before and after a 5-minute guided mindfulness meditation and rated satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and likelihood of future use. Feasibility was assessed using enrollment and completion rates. Brief open-ended survey responses were collected to descriptively contextualize feasibility and acceptability findings.

Results: Of 73 caregivers who accessed the study, 49 (67.1%) enrolled. Among enrolled participants, 44 (89.8%) completed the preintervention assessment and meditation, and 27 (55.1%) completed both pre- and postintervention assessments, meeting predefined feasibility thresholds. Mean anxiety scores decreased significantly from pre- to postintervention (5.67 to 4.41; t(26) = 4.49, P < .001). Acceptability ratings exceeded the neutral midpoint (>3.0) on a five-point scale. Descriptive feedback highlighted the calming quality of the guided audio and appreciation for self-care messaging, alongside minor technical challenges related to volume, background noise, and audio playback.

Conclusions: A brief, self-administered mindfulness meditation delivered via personal devices was feasible, acceptable, and associated with reduced caregiver anxiety in an ambulatory oncology setting. Implications for practice: Ultra-brief, technology-enabled mindfulness interventions can be integrated into perioperative workflows to address acute caregiver distress without disrupting care delivery. Oncology nurses are well positioned to facilitate implementation of such low-burden supports, which may enhance caregiver well-being and preparedness for postoperative care. Future studies should evaluate effectiveness across diverse settings and optimize delivery to minimize technical barriers.