Health SMART (Stress Management and Relaxation Training) to Improve Vaccine Immune Response

• Independent sample t-test will be used to compare 1) antibody change scores from before to after the first and second dose of vaccine, and 2) distress change scores from before to after the intervention [ Time Frame: length of protocol ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Multiple regression analyzes will be used to test changes in cortisol and changes in perceived risk of breast cancer; coping or social support mediate the effects of the intervention on antibody response to vaccine and distress [ Time Frame: length of protocol ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) group intervention
Participants will meet in closed, structured groups of 4 to 6 women for ten weekly, 2-hour group sessions. The intervention employs CBSM techniques interwoven with information in a supportive group format. The information portion of the intervention focuses on learning to cope with daily stressors, and learning about optimal use of social support. Group members and group leaders are used as role models for effective coping and the use of social support. The groups also encourage emotional expression and provide an opportunity to practice techniques learned in the group and experience social support. Avoidance coping is discouraged, and acceptance and reframing are instead encouraged as coping responses. Health behavior change, framed as a coping technique, will also be discussed using motivational interviewing techniques. Each week participants also experience a different relaxation technique. The goal of the CBSM intervention is thus to reduce distress through a variety of techniques.

Chronic stress can impair immune function, including immune response to vaccines. This has important implications for cancer control and prevention because tumor vaccines are emerging as tools for cancer treatment and prevention, and the cohort that would benefit from the vaccines is likely to be stressed. Women at elevated risk for breast cancer experience significant levels of distress that have been associated with immune function decrements. Interventions to treat distress-related immune decrements among these women are needed because these women will be among the first candidates for breast cancer vaccines. In theory, stress-management interventions should improve immune function and response to vaccines, but the findings to date are mixed, in part because most intervention studies have been done with medical patients who by nature have immune confounds. Thus, it is unknown how stress management interventions affect immune function in stressed but otherwise healthy people, such as women at elevated risk for breast cancer.

Comparison: Women will be randomly assigned to a 10-week structured, CBSM intervention or a wait-list comparison group with delay participation in the intervention. The comparison group will be offered the full CBSM intervention after all assessment time points have been completed.