Cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based interventions for distress in patients with advanced cancer: A meta-analysis.
Ellen Krueger, Ekin Secinti, Jesse C Stewart, Kevin L Rand, Catherine E Mosher
Psycho-Oncology 2024 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6259 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with advanced cancer |
| Interventions | cognitive-behavioral interventions mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer Cognitive-behavioral therapy Meta-analysis Neoplasms Oncology Quality of life |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key findings | Traditional cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based interventions produce small reductions in distress and minimal improvements in quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. |
Abstract
Various psychosocial interventions have been developed to reduce distress and improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer, many of which are traditional cognitive-behavioral interventions (CBIs) or mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). The aims of this meta-analysis were to determine and compare the overall effects of traditional CBIs and MBIs on distress and QoL in this population and to explore potential moderators of intervention efficacy. A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CBIs or MBIs to controls on distress and QoL outcomes were eligible for inclusion. Random effects meta-analyses using standardized baseline to post-intervention mean differences were calculated using Hedges's g. Meta-regressions were used to compare intervention effects and examine potential moderators. Across 37 RCTs (21 CBIs, 14 MBIs, 2 combination therapies), there was a small decrease in distress (Hedges's g = 0.21) and a minimal improvement in QoL (Hedges's g = 0.15). Traditional CBIs and MBIs did not differ in effect sizes. Heterogeneity was significant across distress effect sizes but not across QoL effects. Interventions delivered to individuals (vs. dyads/group) had larger effects on QoL. No moderators of intervention effects on distress were found. Findings suggest traditional CBIs and MBIs produce small reductions in distress compared to controls in patients with advanced cancer, although effects on QoL appear minimal. Given limitations in the number of studies and their quality, rigorous trials are needed to directly compare the impact of traditional CBIs and MBIs in this population.
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
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness-based interventions for cancer patients in standard treatment: A meta-analysis of effects on depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Journal of Psychosomatic Research July 5, 2025
- Effects of embedded micro-mindfulness on psychological symptoms in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care: a prospective controlled study. Frontiers in Oncology August 26, 2026
- The Experience of Shared Meditation Involving People With Cancer, Health Professionals and Third Persons: A Qualitative Focus-Group Study Integrative Cancer Therapies April 1, 2026
Cites 7
- 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
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Physical Conditions: A Narrative Review Evaluating Levels of Evidence ISRN Psychiatry November 14, 2012
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry July 2021
- The acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in improving psychological well-being for adults with advanced cancer: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice February 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology January 20, 2017
and 2 more in the library