Education

Biography

Originally from Florida, Dr. Anna M Tacón is currently an associate professor of health at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her academic background involves undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology as well as human development and family studies with a focus on family of origin and adult health. Her worldview, therefore, involves a unique integration of psychology, development and family issues, and health from a bio psychosocial perspective. More specifically, Dr. Anna M Tacón focuses on psychosocial oncology issues and complementary medicine strategies for stress reduction in those with cancer.

Research Interest

Research interests involve working with breast cancer patients as well as chronic pain patients. In addition to conceptual and theoretical works, the majority of her research involves conducting the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for women with breast cancer to determine the practical efficacy and benefits of this program for this population. Some factors investigated include: mental adjustment to cancer, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, pain intensity, attachment style, emotional control, existential well-being, grief and loss, cancer symptoms of distress, and cancer-related fatigue.

Scientific Activities:

Teaching Experience:

1. Master’s Thesis Committee Member - Completed

1. Cisneros, A. (2010). Physiological effects of a Mindfulness-Based Exercise Program (MBEP) on females. Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
2. Del Rosario, Cae. (2009). The Effects of Tai Chi on Stress Vulnerability and Heart Rate Variability. Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
3. Owens, C. (2009). Co-Chair. Families and health crisis: Psychosocial effects of a sibling with cancer. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
4. d. Romig, K. (1999). Working with pediatric patients: A Child Life in-service. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.

2. Dissertation Committee Member – Dissertations in Progress

1. Close, D. (since 2008). “Health coaching intervention with cancer patients.”

3. Dissertation Committee Member- Completed

1. Adams, M. (2005). Marital intimacy in caregiver spouses of Alzheimer’s patients. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Applied Professional Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
2. Christiansen, F. (2003). Divorce and faith community: some experiences of women. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
3. Ramaswamy, M. (2002). An exploration of role-related identity in Indian-born Indian women living in the United States and Anglo-American women. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
4. Arterburn, D. (2002). Spiritual attachment and sexual satisfaction in marriage. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
5. Graham, C. (2000). Role identity/conflict among dual-career, non-career employed and stay-at-home wives. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
6. Mc Carroll, E. (2007). Psychosocial factors in children’s health. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
7. Webber, S. (2006). Ropes as an intervention for juveniles and their guardians. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
8. West, S. (2000). Anglo and Hispanic college student performance and intent to graduate: A prospective examination of risk factors in two theoretical models. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.

Professional Activities:

Honors & Awards

Publications

1. Tacón, A.M. (2016). Complementary medicine intervention in breast cancer patients with pain. Asian Journal of Medicine and Health. Accepted.
2. Tacón, A.M. (2016). Melittin and cancer. Journal of Apitherapy, 1(2), 51-55.
3. Tacón, A.M. (2016). Brief mindfulness findings and cancer related pain. Journal of Alternative Medical Research, 2 (2) 114-119.
4. McComb, J., Chyu, M.C., Tacón, A.M., & Norman, R. (2015). The effects of tai chi on measures of stress and coping style. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 20 (2), 89-96.
5. Kim, Y., Kang, M., Tacon, A. M., & Morrow, J. R. (2015) (Epub ahead of print). Longitudinal trajectories of physical activity in women using a latent class growth curve analysis: The WIN study. Journal of Sports and Health Science. DOI:10.1016/j.jshs.2015.04.007
6. Mc Comb, J., Cisneros, A., Tacón, A., Panike, R., Norman, R., Qian, X., & Mc Glone, J. (2015). The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Movement on Parameters of Stress. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 25, 79-88 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17761/1531-2054-25.1.79
7. Tacón, A.M. (2014). Traditional and Non-Traditional Empirically Based Exercise Programs. In J. Mc Comb, R. Norman, & M. Zimwalt, (Eds.), The Active Female: Health issues throughout the lifespan, 2nd edition, pp. 289-316, Springer, NY, NY.
8. Mc Comb, & Tacón, A.M. (2014). Evidence based disordered eating prevention programs for active females. In J. Mc Comb, R. Norman, & M. Zimwalt, (Eds.), The active female: Health issues throughout the lifespan, 2nd edition. pp. 207-220, Springer, NY, NY.
9. Tacón, A.M. (2013). Present moment effects: Pain, distress, and cancer. Advances in Cancer: Research & Treatment, 1, 1-11.
10. Tacón, A.M. (2013). The lifestyle plague and health: Obesity and endometrial cancer. Journal of Women’s Health, Issues, & Care, 2 (4), 1-5.
11. Tacón, A.M. (2011). Mindfulness: Existential, Loss, and Grief Factors in Women with Breast Cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 29(6), 642-646.
12. Tacón, A.M. (2011). Mindfulness, cancer, and pain. Alternative Medicine Studies, 1, 60-65.
13. Tacón, A., Mc Comb, J. (2009). Mindful Exercise, Quality of Life, and Survival: A Mindfulness-Based Exercise Program for Women with Breast Cancer, Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine. 15(1), 41-46.
14. Tacón, A.M. (2009). Mindfulness-based exercise program manual, pp. 1 -79.
15. Tacón, A.M. (2008). Approaches to Chronic Disease and Chronic Care: From Oxymoron to Modern Zeitgeist. Disease Management and Health Outcomes, 16 (5), 285-288.
16. Williams, J.S., Tacón, A., & Carter, R. (2008). Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. Respiratory Therapy, May, 20-23. (3)
17. Tacón, A.M. (2007). Mindfulness effects on symptoms of distress in women with breast cancer. Journal of Cancer Pain and Symptom Palliation, 2(2), 17-22.
18. Carter, R., Tacón, A.M., Williams, J., & Tiep, B. (2007). Managing COPD. Respiratory Treatment, Nov, 40-45.
19. Tacón, A.M. (2007). Surviving cancer treatment: What’s exercise got to do with it? American College of Sports Medicine Certified News, 17(2), 4-6.
20. Tacón, A., Caldera, Y., & Ronaghan, C. (2005). Mindfulness, psychosocial factors and breast cancer. Journal of Cancer Pain and Symptom Palliation, 1, 45-54.
21. Mc Comb, J., Tacón, A., Caldera, Y., & Randolph, P. (2004). A pilot study to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation program on levels of stress hormones, physical functioning, and sub-maximal exercise responses. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10, 819-828.
22. Tacón, A., Caldera, Y., & Ronaghan, C.(2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in women with breast cancer: A pilot study. Families, Systems, and Health: the Collaborative Journal of Healthcare, 22, 193- 203.
23. Tacón, A. (2003). Attachment experiences in women with breast cancer. Family and Community Health, 26(2), 147-156.
24. Tacón, A. (2003). Meditation as a complementary therapy in cancer. Family and Community Health, 26(1), 64-73.
25. Tacón, A., Mc Comb, J., Caldera, Y., & Randolph, P. (2003). Mindfulness meditation, anxiety reduction and heart disease: A pilot study. Family and Community Health, 26(1), 25-33.
26. Tacón, A. (2002). Attachment and cancer: A conceptual integration. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 1(4), 371-381
27. Tacón, A., Caldera, Y., & Bell, N. (2001). Attachment style, emotional control and breast cancer. Families, Systems and Health: the Collaborative Journal of Healthcare, 19(13), 319-326.
28. Tacón, A. & Caldera, Y. (2001). Attachment and parental correlates in late adolescent Mexican-American women. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 23(1), 71-87.
29. Randolph, P., Caldera, Y., Tacón, A., & Greak, B. (1999). The long-term combined effects of medical treatment and a mindfulness-based behavioral program for the multidisciplinary management of chronic pain. Pain Digest, 9, 103-112.