Randomized Controlled Trial of Group-Blended and Individual-Unguided Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Reduce Psychological Distress in People With Cancer.
Nasim Badaghi, Linda Kwakkenbos, Judith Prins, Rogier Donders, Saskia Kelders, Anne E. M. Speckens
Psycho-Oncology September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/pon.70286 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 186 |
| Population | People with cancer (81% female, 49% breast cancer, 76% treated with curative intent) |
| Interventions | group-blended eMBCT individual-unguided eMBCT |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer Psycho‐oncology Randomized controlled trial |
| Registration | NCT05336916 |
| Key findings | Group-blended eMBCT reduced psychological distress at post-treatment and follow-up compared to CAU, while individual-unguided eMBCT reduced distress only at follow-up. |
Abstract
Online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT) can reduce psychological distress in people with cancer, but adherence and scalability could be improved. Through co-creation, we developed two eMBCT formats: group-blended and individual-unguided. This trial compared the effects of the two eMBCT to care as usual (CAU) on psychological distress and other mental health outcomes in people with cancer. In this parallel, three-armed randomized controlled trial, people with cancer were randomly allocated to group-blended eMBCT, individual-unguided eMBCT, or CAU. Participants completed baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3 months follow-up assessments. The primary outcome analyzed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population was psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at post-treatment. In total, 186 participants were randomized to group-blended eMBCT (N = 57), individual-unguided eMBCT (N = 75), or CAU (N = 54). Most participants were female (81%) with breast cancer (49%), and treated with curative intent (76%). In ITT analyses, group-blended eMBCT participants reported significantly lower levels of psychological distress at post-treatment (Cohen's d = 0.38) and follow-up (Cohen's d = 0.64) than those receiving CAU, while individual-unguided eMBCT participants only had significantly less psychological distress at follow-up (Cohen's d = 0.48). Additionally, participants in group-blended eMBCT had less rumination and greater mindfulness, decentering, and self-compassion than those in CAU at follow-up. Participants in individual-unguided eMBCT had greater decentering than those in CAU at post-treatment and follow-up, and less rumination and greater mindfulness skills than CAU at follow-up. Compared to CAU, both eMBCT conditions were effective in reducing psychological distress and could be an accessible, and potentially low-cost intervention to reduce distress in people with cancer. Dutch Registry CCMO, NL73117.091.20; clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05336916.
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 3
- Mind-Body Interventions for People With Cancer: Evidence, Innovation, and Implementation. Seminars in radiation oncology July 1, 2026
- 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
- Effects of Remotely Delivered and Web-Based Interventions on Depression Severity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mental Health August 4, 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
- Effectiveness of Web-Based Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses. Journal of Medical Internet Research June 25, 2024
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
- Effect of blended and unguided online delivery of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus care as usual on distress among cancer patients and survivors: protocol for the three-arm parallel randomized controlled buddy trial. BMC Psychology January 25, 2023
- Face-to-Face and Internet-Based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Compared With Treatment as Usual in Reducing Psychological Distress in Patients With Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology June 28, 2018
and 2 more in the library