Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Adults With Cancer: A Stratified Subgroup Meta-Analysis.
Kenni Wojujutari Ajele, Erhabor Sunday Idemudia
Psycho-Oncology March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/pon.70424 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 7,395 |
| Population | Adults with cancer |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with cancer, with the largest effects for modified MBIs, breast cancer populations, and studies in North America and Asia. |
Abstract
Psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, is highly prevalent among adults with cancer. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), are increasingly used to address these symptoms. However, no prior review has comprehensively stratified MBI effects across intervention types, symptom domains, cancer populations, and geographic regions. To evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs, including standard and adapted formats, on depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Six databases were searched from January 2010 to July 2025. Eligible studies included RCTs comparing MBIs to control conditions in adults with cancer, reporting validated outcomes for depression, anxiety, or stress. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Hedges' g, with subgroup analyses by intervention type, duration, geographic region, and cancer type. Across 84 effect sizes from 45 RCTs (N = 7395), mindfulness-based interventions were evaluated. MBIs significantly reduced depression (g = -0.92), anxiety (g = -1.06), and stress (g = -1.50). Modified MBIs MBIs demonstrated the largest effects (g = -1.57), followed by MBSR (g = -0.72) and MBCT (g = -0.68). The strongest effects were observed in breast cancer populations (g = -1.48) and in studies conducted in North America (g = -1.21) and Asia (g = -1.07). Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) were associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with cancer, though heterogeneity was high and evidence was largely from breast cancer trials. MBIs appear scalable, particularly for women with breast cancer, but broader conclusions remain limited. Findings support their inclusion in tailored psychosocial care, with a need for more diverse and rigorously controlled research.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- 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
- 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 Cancer Recovery training on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer-related fatigue in breast neoplasm patients undergoing chemotherapy. Medicine June 7, 2024
- 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
and 7 more in the library