Mindfulness-based stress reduction can alleviate cancer- related fatigue: A meta-analysis.
Congyan Xie, B. Dong, Lihong Wang, Xiu-Chen Jing, Yin Wu, Lu Lin, Li Tian
Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 27, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109916 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3,008 |
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly reduces cancer-related fatigue, particularly in lung cancer patients. |
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to critically evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on cancer-related fatigue (CRF).
Methods: A systematic search of eight databases (Web of Science, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Spring link, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM) was performed, to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to January 2019. Using Cochrane Collaboration criteria, two reviewers critically and independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted correlated data using the designed form. All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3.
Results: In all, fifteen RCTs were included in the systematic review, fourteen of which, consisting of 3008 patients (MBSR, 1502; control, 1506), were included in the meta-analysis. MBSR had a significant effect on fatigue in cancer patients, particularly among lung cancer patients. The meta-analysis also indicated that MBSR could significantly mitigate CRF compared with usual care or no intervention. 8 weeks of MBSR, supervised by experts, had a large effect on CRF.
Conclusions: MBSR is effective for CRF management and can be recommended as a beneficial complementary therapy for CRF patients.
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 30
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- The use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for breast cancer patients-meta-analysis. BMC Psychology November 1, 2024
- Mindfulness Meditation Training Reduces Gaming Cravings by Reshaping the Functional Connectivity Between the Default Mode Network and Executive Control-Related Brain Regions. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging August 1, 2024
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy via e-health on anxiety and depression in adults: A meta-analysis. General Hospital Psychiatry July 24, 2025
- Effects of internet-based mindfulness interventions on anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients: A meta-analysis. General Hospital Psychiatry 2025
and 25 more in the library
Cites 13
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on breast cancer symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis Einstein 2018
- Mindfulness-based interventions for women with breast cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta oncologica December 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Post-treatment Breast Cancer Patients: Immediate and Sustained Effects Across Multiple Symptom Clusters. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management January 2017
and 8 more in the library