Mindfulness-based Cancer Stress Management: impact of a mindfulness-based programme on psychological distress and quality of life (original) (raw)
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Cancer management and research, 2015
Research on the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction and related mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in cancer care has proliferated over the past decade. MBIs have aimed to facilitate physical and emotional adjustment to life with cancer through the cultivation and practice of mindfulness (ie, purposeful, nonjudgmental, moment-to-moment awareness). This descriptive review highlights three categories of outcomes that have been evaluated in MBI research with cancer patients - namely, symptom reduction, positive psychological growth, and biological outcomes. We also examine the clinical relevance of each targeted outcome, while describing recently published original studies to highlight novel applications of MBIs tailored to individuals with cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that participation in a MBI contributes to reductions in psychological distress, sleep disturbance, and fatigue, and promotes personal growth in areas such as quality of life and spirituality. MBIs ma...
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2010
This study evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for individuals with a diagnosis of cancer. Method: Participants (N ϭ 115) diagnosed with cancer, across site and stage, were randomly allocated to either the treatment or the wait-list condition. Treatment was conducted at 1 site, by a single therapist, and involved participation in 8 weekly 2-hr sessions that focused on mindfulness. Participants meditated for up to 1 hr daily and attended an additional full-day session during the course. Participants were assessed before treatment and 10 weeks later; this second assessment occurred immediately after completion of the program for the treatment condition. The treatment condition was also assessed at 3 months postintervention. All postinitial assessments were completed by assessors who were blind to treatment allocation. Results: There were large and significant improvements in mindfulness (effect size [ES] ϭ 0.55), depression (ES ϭ 0.83), anxiety (ES ϭ 0.59), and distress (ES ϭ 0.53) as well as a trend for quality of life (ES ϭ 0.30) for MBCT participants compared to those who had not received the training. The wait-list group was assessed before and after receiving the intervention and demonstrated similar change. Conclusions: These improvements represent clinically meaningful change and provide evidence for the provision of MBCT within oncology settings.
Mindfulness and its impact in cancer patients- Evidence based medicine
IP Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Allied Science
The present investigation aims to examine the impact of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) and mindful practice on individuals diagnosed with cancer, drawing upon the extant literature. The MBSR program typically spans over a duration of eight weeks and involves a structured and intensive approach to training individuals in mindfulness meditation techniques. The present investigation examined the Pubmed search engine and identified a total of 1919 studies through the utilization of specific keywords. The scope of the search was narrowed down to encompass solely studies and trials that incorporated mindfulness practices. Qualitative intervention methods, reviews, observational studies, metanalysis, yoga, and dietary modifications were explicitly excluded from consideration. We additionally incorporated investigations with an impact factor equal to or greater than 10. The present study involved the analysis and review of nine studies that have been assigned an impac...
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Integrative Cancer Care – a Summary of Evidence
Forschende Komplementärmedizin =, 2011
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the relevant existing evidence, and critically appraises the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in cancer care. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was conducted in order to investigate the effect of MBSR on quality of life (QoL), mood, and distress. Besides 6 reviews (5 systematic, 1 meta-analytic) which are reported separately, a total of 19 original research papers fully met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The 19 original papers consisted of 5 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 4 non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs), 9 observational studies (OS) and 1 two-arm observational study. The included outcome measures were QoL, mood, and distress. Cohen's effect size d was computed for each category. Estimating the effect on QoL, a total of n = 248 patients out of 6 studies was included and the overall effect size was 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.40; p ≤ 0.00005). Calculating the effect on mood, a total of n = 411 patients out of ten studies were included, and the overall effect size was 0.42 (95% CI 0.26-0.58; p < 0.0001). Reduction in distress revealed an overall effect size of 0.58 (95% CI 0.45-0.72; p < 0.0001; n = 587 patients out of 15 studies). MBSR programmes can improve QoL and mood, and reduce distress in cancer patients. However, there is an urgent need for more high quality RCTs implementing adequate controls, longer follow-up periods, sufficient samples sizes, clear descriptions of patients' psychological profiles, and the accompanying utilisation of qualitative measures. Schlüsselwörter Meta-Analyse • Achtsamkeit • MBSR • Integrative Onkologie • Krebspatienten • Systematischer Review • Mind-Body-Medizin Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Arbeit versucht, einen umfassenden Überblick über die bestehende Evidenz zum Einsatz von MBSR(mindfulness-based stress reduction)-Programmen im Rahmen der onkologischen Therapie zu geben. Darüber hinaus wurde eine Meta-Analyse durchgeführt, um die Wirkung von MBSR auf die Lebensqualität (quality of life; QoL), Stimmung und Stress eingehender zu untersuchen. Neben 6 Übersichtsarbeiten (5 systematische Reviews, 1 Meta-Analyse), die gesondert referiert werden, erfüllten insgesamt 19 Originalarbeiten die Einschlusskriterien. Von den 19 Originalarbeiten waren 5 Studien randomisiert und kontrolliert, 4 Studien waren nichtrandomisiert, aber kontrolliert, 9 waren Beobachtungsstudien, und eine Studie wurde als zweiarmige Beobachtungsstudie durchgeführt. Relevante Endpunkte waren QoL, Stimmung und Stress. Für jede Kategorie wurde Cohens d als Maß für die Effektstärke berechnet. Zur Abschätzung des Einflusses auf die QoL wurden insgesamt n = 248 Patienten aus 6 Studien in die Analyse eingeschlossen. Cohens d betrug 0,29 (95%-Konfidenzinterval (95%-KI) 0,17-0,40; p ≤ 0,00005). Für die Variable Stimmung wurden insgesamt 411 Patienten aus zehn Studien einbezogen; der Gesamteffekt betrug 0,42 (95%-KI 0,26-0,58; p < 0,0001). Für die Variable Stress ergab sich eine Effektstärke von 0,58 (95%-KI 0,45-0,72; p < 0,0001; n = 587 Patienten aus 15 Studien). MBSR-Programme können die Lebensqualität und Stimmung von onkologischen Patienten verbessern und die subjektiv empfundene Belastung reduzieren. Nichtsdestotrotz besteht nach wie vor Bedarf an randomisierten-kontrollierten Studien hoher Qualität, mit angemessenen, aktiven Kontrollbedingungen, längerem Follow-up, ausreichender Stichprobengröße, klaren Beschreibungen der psychologischen Profile von Patienten sowie der vermehrten Integration qualitativer Forschungsmethoden.
Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2013
Background. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has demonstrated efficacy for alleviating cancer-related distress. Although theorized to be the means by which people improve, it is yet to be determined whether outcomes are related to the development or enhancement of mindfulness among participants. This study examined the effect of participation in an MBSR program on levels of mindfulness in a heterogeneous sample of individuals with cancer, and if these changes were related to improvements in stress and mood outcomes. Methods. In all, 268 individuals with cancer completed self-report assessments of stress and mood disturbances before and after participation in an 8-week MBSR program. Of these, 177 participants completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and 91 participants completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, at both time points. Results. Levels of mindfulness on both measures increased significantly over the course of the program. These were accompanied by significant reductions in mood disturbance (55%) and symptoms of stress (29%). Increases in mindfulness accounted for a significant percentage of the reductions in mood disturbance (21%) and symptoms of stress (14%). Being aware of the present moment and refraining from judging inner experience were the 2 most important mindfulness skills for improvements of psychological functioning among cancer patients. Conclusions. These results add to a growing literature measuring the impact of mindfulness and its relationship to improved psychological health. Moreover, specific mindfulness skills may be important in supporting these improvements.
Evidence for the Role of Mindfulness in Cancer: Benefits and Techniques
Cureus
Mindfulness is being used increasingly in various aspects of cancer management. Benefits of mindfulness practices are being observed to manage the adverse effects of treatment, symptoms from cancer progression, and the cost-effectiveness compared to conventional contemporary management strategies. In this review article, we present clinical trial data showing the benefits of mindfulness in various aspects of cancer management as well as techniques that have been commonly used in this practice.
Emotional distress is common during chemothera-py, and supportive interventions during this time are often required. Mindfulness-based interventions appear promising amongst cancer survivors, but scant research has been conducted amongst patients undergoing acute treatment. This trial compared the efficacy of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (bMBT) with relaxation therapy on reducing distress amongst chemotherapy patients. Sixty-eight people receiving first-line chemotherapy at Auckland City Hospital were randomised to bMBT (n = 32) or relaxation training groups (n = 36). In both conditions, participants attended three 90-min weekly sessions. Overall distress (distress thermometer (DT); impact thermometer (IT)), cancer-related stress (Impact Events Scale–Cancer (IES-C)), cancer symptom distress (Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale–Short Form (MSAS-SF)) and social avoidance (SA) were assessed at enrolment , post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Both groups reported reductions in overall and cancer-related stress over time. Immediately post-intervention, however, bMBT (but not relaxation training) participants reported increased symptom distress, marginally increased social avoidance and decreased quality of life. So whilst overall distress and cancer distress declined in both groups, the mindfulness intervention was associated with increased symptom distress and social avoidance and reduced quality of life. This report presents a randomised controlled trial of a mindfulness-based intervention during chemotherapy and suggests that care is needed in employing mindfulness-based interventions in acute health treatment contexts.
Oncology Nursing Forum, 2007
To describe the construct of mindfulness meditation and systematically review instruments measuring the psychological impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on health among patients with cancer. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL ® , PsycINFO ® , ISI Web of Knowledge ® , EBSCO, and published literature (1987-2006). Data Synthesis: 13 psychological instruments used in seven studies (2000-2005) to measure effects of MBSR on health in patients with cancer were reviewed. Most studies used a one-group pre-and post-test design. The post-MBSR outcomes for each instrument varied, suggesting different yet promising relationships. For some instruments, data were insufficient to conclude sufficiently whether any were strong or appropriate to use in future intervention studies. Conclusions: To enhance knowledge of MBSR, more intervention research studies of MBSR in patients with cancer and reexamination of specific instruments are needed. Implications for Nursing: Based on the review, instruments can measure MBSR effects and found MBSR to be a potentially beneficial oncology nursing intervention.
2015
Abstract: Research on the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction and related mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in cancer care has proliferated over the past decade. Read this review and sign up to receive Cancer Management and Research journal here: http://www.dovepress.com/articles.php?article\_id=21951
Patient Education and Counseling, 2008
This study explores satisfaction and changes in well-being in cancer patients following mindfulness-based stress reduction training. Data were collected in 47 cancer patients before and after the training, and also 1 year later. Standardized questionnaires were used to measure quality of life, joy in life, mood disturbances (depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and tension), meaning in life and physical symptoms. Participants were highly satisfied and said they had reached their goals with the training. The results show that directly after the training patients reported a better quality of life, more joy in life, less tension, and fewer physical symptoms. These effects appeared even stronger at follow-up. A year after the training a decrease was also found in depression, anger, vigor and total mood disturbance. No changes could be established for meaning in life and fatigue. Effect sizes varied between 0.28 and 0.60, indicating small-to-moderate changes. Mindfulness training potentially supports cancer patients in handling the stress due to their life-threatening disease and increases their well-being. Several suggestions for further research are discussed. Mindfulness training provides cancer patients with tools to deal with their limitations and worries, both during and after their treatment.