A shared mindfulness and compassion meditation program for cancer patients, health professionals, and third persons was feasible and well-accepted. Of 30 participants in two groups, 70% attended at least 80% of 13 sessions. Satisfaction was high, with a median score of 9.1 out of 10. Participants reported significant improvements in stress, global quality of life, self-efficacy, and mindfulness skills from before to after the program. All expressed positive attitudes and perceived benefit on their quality of life. The results support a future randomized study to test whether shared meditation builds bridges between these groups.
A two-arm randomised trial will test whether adding shared meditation sessions that include cancer patients, health professionals, and third parties improves well-being more than meditation limited to patients alone. The study plans to enroll 96 participants: 64 patients, 16 health professionals, and 16 third persons. Patients in the experimental arm will meditate in mixed groups, while those in the control arm will meditate in patient-only groups. Outcomes include quality of life, perceived stress, self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-compassion, and carer burnout. A qualitative focus-group component will help optimize future implementation.
A randomized controlled trial compared shared meditation (patients with cancer, caregivers, and third persons) to patient-only meditation. Both groups showed substantial improvement in self-efficacy, perceived stress, and mindfulness qualities. No significant difference in the primary outcome (Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale) was found between the two arms. However, patients in the shared meditation group showed a significant improvement in perceived self-efficacy and a reduction in feelings of isolation, which was not seen in the patient-only group. Participants reported a perception of improved quality of life. Shared meditation may help patients cope with cancer by reducing isolation.