Implementation Readiness and Initial Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Audio Intervention Compared With a Brief Music Control During Daily Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Pilot Study.
David Victorson, Kavita K Mishra, Joseph Sauer, Grace Langford, Carly Maletich, Bruriah Horowitz, Christina Sauer, Samir V Sejpal, John Kalapurakal
Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024 DOI: 10.1177/27536130241249140 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Men receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer |
| Intervention | brief guided mindfulness audio recordings |
| Duration | 4-week intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Prostatic neoplasms Radiation therapy |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Brief audio-based mindfulness during daily radiation therapy significantly reduced uncertainty intolerance at 4 weeks and fatigue and sleep disturbance at 3 months compared to a relaxing music control. |
Abstract
The most common and debilitating side effects of radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PC) are fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. Previous research has reported palliative benefits from certain self-management approaches, such as mindfulness meditation. To develop, pre-test, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and initial benefit of brief, audio-based mindfulness delivered during daily RT for PC compared to a relaxing music control. Following intervention development, participants were randomized to either brief guided mindfulness audio recordings or a relaxing music control during daily RT. A pre-testing phase was first conducted to determine optimal program start time, length, and content most associated with retention. A final program (n = 26) was delivered daily, starting on day one of week 2 of RT and lasting 4 consecutive weeks. Feasibility was defined as ≥70% on enrollment rate, retention, and audio program adherence. Acceptability was measured with a 12-item post-study survey. A secondary focus compared between group changes on patient reported outcomes of fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and related outcomes at baseline and follow up assessments. Descriptive statistics and general linear models were used. Overall, 76% (n = 38) of approached men enrolled. Pre-testing retention rates were <70% while the final program's retention rate was 89%. The majority of acceptability criteria were met in both conditions, with relatively higher ratings in the mindfulness arm. Compared to music controls, mindfulness participants demonstrated significantly less uncertainty intolerance at 4-weeks (P = .046, d = .95); and significantly lower fatigue scores (P = .049, d = 1.3) and lower sleep disturbance scores (P = .035, d = 1.1) at the 3 months follow up. The final intervention met feasibility and acceptability criteria. Pre-testing refinements played a key role for optimal program delivery and retention. Audio-based mindfulness delivered during RT for PC hold potential to help decrease RT-related physical and emotional side effects.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and functional recovery in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A prospective study Psycho-Oncologie September 29, 2025
- 5-Minute Audio-Guided Mindfulness Meditation Delivered to Patients' Own Devices for Postoperative Anxiety After Ambulatory Cancer Surgery: Nonrandomized Single-Arm Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Cites 15
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Effects of mindfulness and fatigue on emotional processing: an event-related potentials study. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2023
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on fatigue and psychological wellbeing in women with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials. Psycho-Oncology November 2022
and 10 more in the library