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Evidence of psychological and biological effects of structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions for cancer patients and survivors: A meta-review.

Psycho-oncology
November 1, 2021
Juliana Pedro et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to summarize the evidence on the effects of structured mindfulness-based programs (MBSR/MBCT/MBCR) on psychological, biological, and quality-of-life outcomes in cancer patients.

Results Summary

The study found small to medium beneficial effects of mindfulness programs on psychological health (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress) and quality of life, with some evidence for biological benefits. However, effects tended not to be maintained in long-term follow-ups, particularly at 6 months.

Population

Cancer patients

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
increase
psychological health
cancer patients
small to medium effect sizes
beneficial small to medium effect sizes
#1
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
increase
biological outcomes
cancer patients
-
beneficial effect
#2
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
decrease
anxiety
cancer patients
small to medium effect sizes
beneficial small to medium effect sizes
#3
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
decrease
depression
cancer patients
small to medium effect sizes
beneficial small to medium effect sizes
#4
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
decrease
stress
cancer patients
small to medium effect sizes
beneficial small to medium effect sizes
#5
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
increase
quality of life
cancer patients
small to medium effect sizes
beneficial small to medium effect sizes
#6
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)
no change
psychological, biological, and quality-of-life outcomes
cancer patients
-
effects tend not to be maintained
#7
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A large number of studies have been conducted exploring the effects of mindfulness programs on health outcomes, such as psychological and biological outcomes. However, there is substantial heterogeneity among studies and, consequently, in the systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Since clinical practice is massively informed by evidence on review studies, our main objective was to summarize the reported evidence regarding the effects of structured mindfulness-based programs on psychological, biological, and quality-of-life outcomes in cancer patients. METHODS: We conducted a meta-review, using a literature search from inception to June 2020 in several electronic databases using a combination of keywords including MBSR, MBCT, cancer, and meta-analysis OR "systematic review" (PROSPERO registration CRD42020186511). RESULTS: Ten studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. The main findings were beneficial small to medium effect sizes of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) on psychological health, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life. A beneficial effect was found for biological outcomes, albeit based on a reduced number of studies. Studies were moderate homogenous regarding the intervention, population, and outcomes explored. Results on long-term follow-up seem to indicate that the effects tend not to be maintained, namely in shorter follow-ups (6 months). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-review brings a broad perspective on the actual evidence regarding MBSR/MBCT/MBCR. We expect to contribute to future project design, focused on developing high-quality studies and exploring the moderating effects that might contribute to biased results, as well as exploring who might benefit more from MBSR/MBCT/MBCT interventions.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMindfulnessNeoplasmsQuality of LifeStress, PsychologicalSurvivors
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations25
Citations/Year6.3
Relative Citation Ratio2.41
NIH Percentile79.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.64
Normalized Score0.66
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