The role of emotion regulation through mindfulness in oncological patients: A pilot study.
Carmen Yélamos Agua, Sofía Luque Suárez, María Ruesga García, Rosario Sepulcre Canto, Renmaly Angulo Belisario, Tamara Hernandez Baute, Carlos Hortelano Luna, Sira Izárbez Loriente, Mercedes Márquez Fernández, Montserrat Parejo Espinar, María Isabel Sánchez Jiménez, Ruth San José García, Elísabeth Berzal Pérez
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 2025 DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2024.2389094 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-group pre-post test design with repeated measures Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 97 |
| Population | Adult cancer patients |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based emotion regulation program |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer patients Emotion regulation Psychooncology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Statistically significant improvements in mindfulness facets, emotional clarity, mood repair, and reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms were observed after the program. |
Abstract
Traditional MBSR or MBTC programs do not delve deeply enough into emotional regulation, which is especially relevant in oncological patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the benefits of a mindfulness-based emotion regulation program in adult oncological patients. Psycho-oncologists from the AECC developed a mindfulness-based emotion regulation program. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered before and after the program. A single-group pre-post test design with repeated measures was employed, utilizing the General Linear Model. Ninety-seven adult cancer patients completed the pre- and post-program assessments. Statistically significant improvements were observed in all FFMQ subscales, increased clarity of emotional discrimination, mood repair, and statistically significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Regardless of the phase of the disease, the results of this study suggest that emotional regulation may improve and anxiety and depressive symptomatology decrease after a mindfulness-based emotion regulation program in oncological patients.
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 5
- Competence in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Courses: Concepts, Development and Assessment Mindfulness September 21, 2011
- Evidence of psychological and biological effects of structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions for cancer patients and survivors: A meta-review. Psycho-Oncology November 2021
- Emotion-related constructs engaged by mindfulness-based interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness May 2021
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Group Counseling on Psychological and Inflammatory Responses of the Women With Breast Cancer Integrative Cancer Therapies 2020
- Mindfulness-based interventions and their effects on emotional clarity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders August 1, 2018