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The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cancer-related fatigue in oncology patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PloS one
January 1, 2022
Ellentika Chayadi et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) like MBSR, MBCT, and MBCR in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in oncology populations.

Results Summary

MBIs showed significant medium effects in reducing depression (Hedges' g = 0.43), anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.55), and CRF (Hedges' g = 0.43), with benefits lasting at least three months post-intervention. MBIs were superior to control groups for anxiety and CRF, but not for depression at follow-up.

Population

Oncology patients (cancer, neoplasm, lymphoma, carcinoma, sarcoma).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

At least three months post-intervention (exact duration not specified).

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
depression
oncology populations
Hedges' g = 0.43
have significant medium effects in reducing symptoms
#1
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
anxiety
oncology populations
Hedges' g = 0.55
have significant medium effects in reducing symptoms
#2
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
CRF
oncology populations
Hedges' g = 0.43
have significant medium effects in reducing symptoms
#3
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
anxiety
oncology samples
Hedges' g = 0.56
were superior in reducing symptoms
#4
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
depression
oncology samples
Hedges' g = 0.43
were superior in reducing symptoms
#5
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
CRF
oncology samples
Hedges' g = 0.42
were superior in reducing symptoms
#6
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
depression
oncology populations
-
reduced symptoms
#7
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
anxiety
oncology populations
-
reduced symptoms
#8
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
CRF
oncology populations
-
reduced symptoms
#9
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly being integrated into oncological treatment to mitigate psychological distress and promote emotional and physical well-being. This review aims to provide the most recent evaluation of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) treatments, in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and CRF in oncology populations. METHODS: A search using the following search terms was conducted: (mindful* OR mindfulness* OR mindfulness-based* OR MBI* OR MBCT OR MBSR OR MBCR) AND (Oncol* OR cancer OR neoplasm OR lymphoma OR carcinoma OR sarcoma) to obtain relevant publications from five databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE by EC, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global from January 2000 to February 2022. 36 independent studies (n = 1677) were evaluated for their overall effect sizes (using random-effects models), subgroup analyses, and quality appraisals. Evaluations were performed separately for non-randomized (K = 20, n = 784) and randomized controlled trials (K = 16, n = 893). RESULTS: The results showed that MBIs have significant medium effects in reducing symptoms of depression (Hedges' g = 0.43), anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.55) and CRF (Hedges' g = 0.43), which were maintained at least three months post-intervention. MBIs were also superior in reducing symptoms of anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.56), depression (Hedges' g = 0.43), and CRF (Hedges' g = 0.42) in oncology samples relative to control groups. The superiority of MBIs to control groups was also maintained at least three months post-intervention for anxiety and CRF symptoms, but not for depressive symptoms. The risk of bias of the included studies were low to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: This review found that MBIs reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety and CRF in oncology populations. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: CRD42020143286.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnxietyDepressionFatigueHumansMindfulnessNeoplasms
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations48
Citations/Year16.0
Relative Citation Ratio6.65
NIH Percentile95.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.96
Normalized Score0.70
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