Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on mental and physical health outcomes in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Lichun Xu, Aixuan Guan, Yuxin Huang
Medicine March 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000041870 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,316 |
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Intervention | online mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Online mindfulness-based interventions improved anxiety, stress, quality of life, sleep quality, and fatigue severity in cancer patients, but did not significantly affect depression. |
Abstract
To determine whether online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) help improve the physical and mental health of cancer patients, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Medline, and CINAHL databases for RCTs published up to April 31, 2023. Two reviewers selected and critically appraised the trials and extracted the data. Fourteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. A total of 14 RCTs with 1316 participants were part of this meta-analysis. The results showed that the online MBI was effective in improving the anxiety level (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] (-0.59, -0.01), P = .04), stress [SMD = -0.65, 95% CI (-1.23, -0.07), P = .03], quality of life [SMD = 0.33, 95% CI (0.17, 0.50), P < .0001], sleep quality [SMD = -0.38, 95% CI (-0.65, -0.10), P = .007], and fatigue severity [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -3.81, 95% CI (-6.11, -1.51), P = .001] in cancer patients. Not shown to affect depression [SMD = -0.19, 95% CI (-0.54, 0.17), P = .30]. Online MBIs may be effective in the reduction of psychological distress and other symptoms in cancer patients. However, in view of the limitations of the current study, more rigorously designed RCTs will be needed in the future.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 21
- Mindfulness‐based interventions for psychological and physical health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Psycho-Oncology September 11, 2019
- Web-Based Mindfulness Interventions for People With Physical Health Conditions: Systematic Review Journal of Medical Internet Research August 31, 2017
- Short-term effect of internet-delivered mindfulness-based stress reduction on mental health, self-efficacy, and body image among women with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic Frontiers in Psychology October 25, 2022
- Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology February 8, 2023
- Mindfulness based intervention through mobile app for colorectal cancer people awaiting surgery: A randomized clinical trial. Cirugia espanola December 2022
and 16 more in the library