University News
Cancer Survivors Sought for WIU Research Program
May 20, 2013
MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University professor, along with an Illinois State University assistant professor (WIU alum) and a May 2013 WIU psychology graduate, are seeking cancer survivors to volunteer for a research study utilizing movement therapy.
Professor Candace Winters-March is undertaking a research projected titled, "Developing and Implementing a Pilot Improvisation Movement Therapy Program to Enhance Quality of Life in Cancer Patients." She is working on the project with ISU Assistant Professor Darby Wilde and recent graduate Tori Breedlove, of Rushville.
This project has been approved by the WIU Institutional Review Board.
The program is seeking between eight and 12 people from the Macomb area who are at least 18 years old and are in any stage of cancer survivorship.
The workshop will begin June 10 and will last for four weeks and will meet in 90-minute sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at the West Central Illinois Arts Center in downtown Macomb. Each session begins at 9:30 a.m.
Those who volunteer must be able to walk independently for at least 10 feet with or without assistance and sit or stand for at least 45 minutes. The object of the project is to develop and implement a pilot movement therapy program for cancer patients that can be implemented in clinics, hospitals and communities. Volunteers must also be currently in treatment or in remission to qualify.
Methods used as part of the improvisational movement project will consist of breath awareness exercises and a warm-up of the major body regions, and then move into mild physical work in improvisational movement.
"We are hoping to attract at least the minimum number of participants in order for the research to move forward," Winters-March said. "This workshop has the potential to set a curriculum that will be a springboard for future workshops in communities and clinics in the region. May 28 will be the last day to accept interested participants, so I encourage anyone who is remotely interested to contact me."
Anyone interested in volunteering or seeking more information, can contact Winters-March at (309) 837-7762, or at ca-winters-march@wiu.edu.
Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
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