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Mindfulness-based narrative therapy for depression in cancer patients.

Clinical psychology & psychotherapy
January 1, 2014
B Rodríguez Vega et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to describe mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT) and evaluate its effectiveness in treating depression in cancer patients, focusing on narrative reconstruction and emotional regulation.

Results Summary

MBNT was found to reduce depressive symptoms, improve quality of life, and enhance treatment adherence in non-metastatic cancer patients. The therapy integrates mindfulness techniques to destabilize depressive narratives and facilitate new meanings.

Population

Non-metastatic cancer patients with depression.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
decrease
anxiety and depression
cancer patients
-
was found to ameliorate
#1
Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
increase
functional dimensions of quality of life
cancer patients
-
improve
#2
Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
increase
treatment adherence
cancer patients
-
enhance
#3
Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
decrease
depressive symptoms
depressed, non-metastatic cancer patients
-
significant benefits of MBNT in terms of reducing
#4
Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
increase
treatment adherence
depressed, non-metastatic cancer patients
-
improving
#5
Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
increase
quality of life
depressed, non-metastatic cancer patients
-
improving
#6
Abstract

UNLABELLED: Mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT) is a therapeutic intervention for the treatment of depression in cancer patients. In a previous randomized controlled trial, MBNT was found to ameliorate anxiety and depression, improve functional dimensions of quality of life, and enhance treatment adherence. In this review, we describe MBNT and its technical characteristics in the context of other psychotherapeutic interventions for depression in cancer patients. We highlight needed adjustments to other narrative approaches and recommend clinical modifications tailored to the needs of cancer patients that are intended to encompass the client's initial depressive narrative. The narrative construction is supported by emotional regulation and attachment relationships on the one hand and by individual and social linguistic capabilities on the other. Through destabilization of the depressive narrative, MBNT facilitates the emergence of new meanings using both verbal and non-verbal techniques based on mindfulness. The attitude and practice of mindfulness are integrated throughout the therapeutic process. In summary, MBNT makes use of linguistic interventions, promotes mindfulness and emotional regulation, and can be adapted specifically for use with cancer patients. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: In this review, we describe mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT) for the treatment of depression in cancer patients. In a previous controlled trial, we found significant benefits of MBNT in terms of reducing depressive symptoms and improving treatment adherence and quality of life in depressed, non-metastatic cancer patients. Narrative construction is socially and neurobiologically derived. MBNT makes use of linguistic interventions, promotes mindfulness and emotional regulation, and can be adapted specifically for use with cancer patients. MBNT is proposed as an interesting and promising intervention, particularly for patients with somatic pathologies.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Attitude to HealthDepressive DisorderFemaleHumansMaleMindfulnessNarrative TherapyNeoplasms
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations7
Citations/Year0.6
Relative Citation Ratio0.41
NIH Percentile21.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.51
Normalized Score0.70
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