Evaluating the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Self-Help via an OTT Platform on Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Prospective Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.
Hyejo Ryu, Si Nae You, Sohee Oh, Bora Kim, Jeong-Hyun Kim, In Ah Kim
Cancer research and treatment July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2024.955 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective nonrandomized controlled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 84 |
| Population | Breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy |
| Duration | 4-week intervention, 8-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Breast neoplasms Mental health Quality of life |
| Key points | A Netflix-based mindfulness self-help program significantly improved depression and adaptive coping strategies (cognitive avoidance and positive attitude) in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy compared to a control group. |
Abstract
Previous research showed the benefits of mindfulness meditation on the mental health and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Traditionally, these programs relied on in-person interactions, but the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic necessitated alternative delivery methods. This study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of a mindfulness-based self-help (MBSH) program via Netflix for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. This prospective nonrandomized controlled study assigned patients to a control or MBSH group based on age and preference. The MBSH group watched episodes of "Headspace Guide to Meditation" on Netflix and practiced guided meditation at least twice per week for four weeks. Participants completed questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, mindfulness, mental adjustment to cancer, and quality of life at weeks 0 and 8. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Ninety-six patients participated, with 84 eligible for final analysis (44 control, 40 MBSH). Intention-to-treat analysis revealed a significant improvement in depression (f=4.306, p=0.041). Half of the experimental group (n=20) adhered to the study protocol. At week 8, the experimental group showed significant improvement compared to the control group in cognitive avoidance (f=8.530, p=0.005) and positive attitude (f=5.585, p=0.021), both indicative of adaptive coping strategies. This study firstly investigated the effect and feasibility of a Netflix-based MBSH program for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Findings suggest MBSH on Netflix can improve mental health and adaptive mental adjustment, highlighting the potential of self-help mindfulness interventions to enhance the well-being of cancer patients and need for further research.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- 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 Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Depression in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies 2023