Development of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for Hematologic Malignancy Patients: A Delphi Study.

A multidisciplinary team developed a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program specifically for Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies. Through a literature review and two rounds of Delphi expert consultations involving 30 experts (15 in hematology and 15 in psychology), the protocol was refined to include 2 primary, 9 secondary, and 27 tertiary items. Expert authority coefficients rose from 0.846 to 0.875 across rounds, indicating growing consensus. The standardized program aims to provide psychological support and physiological adjustment strategies for these patients and offers a practical protocol for integration into clinical and psychosocial oncology care in China.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Hematologic malignancies (HM) are a group of malignant clonal diseases that pose significant treatment challenges and adversely impact patient survival and quality of life. This study aimed to develop a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program specifically for HM patients and to refine it for application in China. A research team comprised of nursing directors, psychology experts, and other professionals was established, and then a literature review was conducted to assemble information needed to develop the MBSR intervention protocol. Following this, a Delphi expert consultation plan, consisting of two rounds of expert consultations, was carried out to evaluate and refine the MBSR intervention protocol. A total of 15 hematologic disease experts and 15 psychology experts participated in the Delphi expert consultations, with a 100% questionnaire response rate achieved in both rounds. The results of the expert consultations indicated a progressive convergence of expert opinions, with calculated Expert Judgment Basis, Familiarity with Content, and Expert Authority Coefficient values of 0.882, 0.809, and 0.846 in the first round, and 0.92, 0.83, and 0.875 in the second round, respectively. The finalized content contains 2 primary, 9 secondary, and 27 tertiary items. This study developed an MBSR intervention program for patients with HM using the Delphi method for evaluation and refinement through expert consultations. The standardized program provides effective psychological support and physiological adjustment strategies for Chinese patients with HM, and offers a practical protocol for integration into clinical and psychosocial oncology care in China.