Distress Management Through Mind-Body Therapies in Oncology.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in helping cancer survivors cope with distress, physical symptoms, and psychological challenges.
Results Summary
The study found that MBIs are effective in addressing distress, loss of control, uncertainty, fears of recurrence, and symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue in cancer survivors. Growing evidence also supports their cost-effectiveness and adaptability for global use.
Population
Cancer survivors (from diagnosis through treatment and recovery)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mind-body therapies (MBTs) | decrease | inherent stress of cancer | people | - | helping people cope | #1 |
mind-body therapies (MBTs) | neutral | physical and psychological symptoms | - | - | affect | #2 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | neutral | dealing with common experiences that cause distress around cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship | - | - | support the role | #3 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | loss of control | - | - | dealing with | #4 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | uncertainty about the future | - | - | dealing with | #5 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | fears of recurrence | - | - | dealing with | #6 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | depression | - | - | dealing with | #7 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | anxiety | - | - | dealing with | #8 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | insomnia | - | - | dealing with | #9 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | fatigue | - | - | dealing with | #10 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | cost-effectiveness | - | - | supports their cost-effectiveness | #11 |
online and mobile adaptations | increase | use in a global context | - | - | increase promise for use | #12 |
Distress is highly prevalent in cancer survivors, from the point of diagnosis through treatment and recovery, with rates higher than 45% reported worldwide. One approach for helping people cope with the inherent stress of cancer is through the use of mind-body therapies (MBTs) such as mediation, yoga, hypnosis, relaxation, and imagery, which harness the power of the mind to affect physical and psychological symptoms. One group of MBTs with a growing body of research evidence to support their efficacy focus on training in mindfulness meditation; these are collectively known as mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). Research supports the role of MBIs for dealing with common experiences that cause distress around cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship including loss of control, uncertainty about the future, fears of recurrence, and a range of physical and psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue. Growing research also supports their cost-effectiveness, and online and mobile adaptations currently being developed and evaluated increase promise for use in a global context.