The Science Behind attune™
Attune combines key research with the lived experience of patients like you.
What is CBSM?
Cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) is a proven therapy approach for cancer patients. Its key principles are the foundation of attune’s modules. Leading psycho-oncologists and trusted cancer advocacy groups recommend CBSM to boost emotional well-being while undergoing cancer treatment.
How CBSM benefits cancer patients
Backed by 30+ years of research, CBSM encourages you to reclaim your mental health. Rewire your thoughts and embrace self-compassion with this tried and true approach.
Actionable coping tools
Build valuable wellness skills that nourish your daily life and relationships. When you have a coping toolkit, you also improve the likelihood of survivorship and long-term health.
Positive reframing strategies
Cultivate a hopeful perspective by clearing mental roadblocks. When you are kind to yourself, you make space to embrace the positive.
Relaxation training
Calm your mind and body with relaxation and meditation exercises. You have the power to be still and embrace your feelings. Take it one breath at a time.
Attune helped me deal with the common—yet often overlooked—psychological effects of cancer like stress, anxiety, and depression. My diagnosis alone was overwhelming, so when treatment started I couldn’t focus on what I needed to do. Thankfully, attune helped me learn how to relax and channel my mood swings into manageable thoughts.
— Diane S.
User-friendly,
patient-friendly
Attune is a mobile app that adapts over three decades of CBSM research to fit in the palm of your hand. We are a source of support that walks with you, no matter what your journey looks like.
How CBSM and attune™ come together
Get the mental health support you need, when you need it. With CBSM and attune’s technology combined, you get encouragement and community right at your fingertips.
The Research
Multiple clinical studies show CBSM’s ability to improve psychological well-being among individuals with cancer.
Key Research
Reduction of Cancer-Specific Thought Intrusions and Anxiety Symptoms With a Stress Management Intervention Among Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer.
Antoni MH, Wimberly SR, Lechner SC, et al.
Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Oct;163(10):1791-7.
Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Improves Stress-Management Skills and Quality of Life in Men Recovering From Treatment of Prostate Carcinoma.
Penedo FJ, Dahn JR, Molton I, et al.
Cancer. 2004;100(1):192-200.
Long-term Psychological Benefits of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management for Women With Breast Cancer: 11-year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Stagl JM, Bouchard LC, Lechner SC, et al.
Cancer. 2015 Jun 1;121(11):1873-81.
Long-term Benefits
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management in Breast Cancer: Survival and Recurrence at 11-year Follow-Up.
Stagl JM, Lechner SC, Carver CS, et al.
Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2015 Nov;154(2):319-28.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management in Breast Cancer: A Brief Report of Effects on 5-year Depressive Symptoms.
Stagl JM, Antoni MH, Lechner SC, et al.
Health Psychol. 2015 Feb;34(2):176-80.
Prostate Cancer Patients
Identifying How and for Whom Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Improves Emotional Well-Being Among Recent Prostate Cancer Survivors.
Traeger L, Penedo FJ, Benedict C, et al.
Psychooncology. 2013 Feb;22(2):250-9.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Technology Assisted Psychosocial Intervention for Racially Diverse Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer.
Yanez B, McGinty HL, Mohr DC, et al.
Cancer. 2015 Dec 15;121(24):4407-15.
Technology Based Psychosocial Intervention to Improve Quality of Life and Reduce Symptom Burden in Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Penedo FJ, Fox RS, Oswald LB, et al.
Int J Behav Med. 2020 Jan 2.
Physiological Markers of Stress
Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Reduces Serum Cortisol by Enhancing Benefit Finding Among Women Being Treated for Early Stage Breast Cancer.
Cruess DG, Antoni MH, McGregor BA, et al.
Psychosom Med. May-Jun 2000;62(3):304-8.
Stress Management Intervention Reduces Serum Cortisol and Increases Relaxation During Treatment for Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer.
Philips KM, Antoni MH, Lechner SC, et al.
Psychosom Med. 2008 Nov;70(9):1044-9.
Cognitive-behavioral Stress Management Reverses Anxiety-Related Leukocyte Transcriptional Dynamics.
Antoni MH, Lutgendorf SK, Blomberg B, et al.
Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Feb 15;71(4):366-72.
The Effects of a Randomized Trial of Brief Forms of Stress Management on RAGE-associated S100A8/A9 in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Primary Treatment.
Taub CJ, Lippman ME, Hudson BI, et al.
Cancer. 2019 May 15;125(10):1717-1725.
Breast Cancer Patients
Cognitive-behavioral Stress Management Intervention Decreases the Prevalence of Depression and Enhances Benefit Finding Among Women Under Treatment for Early Stage Breast Cancer.
Antoni MH, Lehman JM, Kilbourn KM, et al.
Health Psychol. 2001 Jan;20(1):20-32.
How Stress Management Improves Quality of Life After Treatment for Breast Cancer.
Antoni MH, Lechner SC, Kazi A, et al.
J Consult Clin Psychol. 2006 Dec;74(6):1143-52.
Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Effects on Psychosocial and Physiological Adaptation in Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer.
Antoni MH, Lechner S, Diaz A, et al.
Brain Behav Immun. 2009 Jul;23(5):580-91.
Brief Cognitive-Behavioral and Relaxation Training Interventions for Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Gudenkauf LM, Antoni MH, Stagl JM, et al.
J Consult Clin Psychol. 2015 Aug;83(4):677-688.
Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management Increases Benefit Finding and Immune Function Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer.
McGregor, BA, Antoni MH, Boyers A, et al.
J Psychosom Res. 2004 Jan;56(1):1-8.
Diverse Populations
Stress Management Effects on Perceived Stress and Cervical Neoplasia in Low-Income HIV-infected Women.
Antoni MH, Pereira DB, Marion I, et al.
Psychosom Res. 2008 Oct;65(4):389-401.
Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management and Psychological Well-Being in HIV+ Racial/Ethnic Minority Women With Human Papillomavirus.
Jensen SE, Pereira DB, Whitehead N, et al.
Health Psychol. 2013 Feb;32(2):227-230.
Health Economic Research
Incremental Health Care Costs of Anxiety and Depression Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Cancer
Birch K, Chung S, Zion SR, MacEwan JP, Malecki MJ
JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Feb. doi: 10.1200/OP.22.00555.
Multimorbidity and Its Associations With Anxiety and Depression Among Newly Diagnosed Patients With Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study in a US Commercially Insured and Medicare Advantage Population
Dai D, Coetzer H, Zion SR, Malecki MJ
Cancer Control. 2022;29. doi:10.1177/10732748221140691
Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Reaction/Adjustment Disorders and Their Associations with Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs Among Newly Diagnosed Patients With Breast Cancer
Dai D, Coetzer H, Zion SR, Malecki MJ
Health Econ Outcomes Res. 2023 Mar 28;10(1):68-76. doi: 10.36469/001c.70238.