Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on quality of sleep among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Chuntana Reangsing, Sasinun Punsuwun, Sarah Oerther
Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112110 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,263 |
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based interventions Quality of sleep Cancer Meta-analysis |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions had a moderate effect on improving quality of sleep among cancer patients (g = 0.598). |
Abstract
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effects of MBIs on quality of sleep in patients with cancer and explore methods, intervention and participants' characteristics as moderators to the effects. Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to October 2024 including Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, Age line, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and ScienceDirect. We reviewed studies on quality of sleep outcomes for patients with cancer receiving mindfulness-based interventions based on Buddhist teaching. We only reviewed randomized controlled trials written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. We used Funnel plot, Q statistics, and I2 to test the heterogeneity across studies. Also, we examined moderators to explore sources of heterogeneity. Across 25 included studies providing 26 comparisons (N = 2263), 1157 cancer patients participated in mindfulness interventions; 1106 served as controls. Most cancer patients were males (s = 14). Mean age ranged from 39.02 to 70.86 yrs. (Mean = 53.70, SD = 6.52). Overall, MBIs had a moderate effect on improving quality of sleep among cancer patients (g = 0.598, 95 %CI 0.332, 0.864, p < .001, I2 = 88 %). Funding and time of outcome measure were moderators affecting ES. No primary studies reported the adverse effects. MBIs significantly improved quality of sleep among patients with cancer. Clinicians should consider using MBIs as alternative complementary treatment for improving quality of sleep among patients with cancer.
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 12
- Investigating efficacy of two brief mind–body intervention programs for managing sleep disturbance in cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial Journal of Cancer Survivorship January 21, 2013
- Mindfulness to enhance quality of life and support advance care planning: a pilot randomized controlled trial for adults with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. BMC Palliative Care September 28, 2024
- Combined Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Exercise Intervention for Improving Psychological Well-Being in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 2024
- Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on adults with sleep disturbance: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open November 4, 2022
- The mindfulness-based stress reduction program for improving sleep quality in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine January 15, 2021
and 7 more in the library