The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Colorectal and Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nasrin Ahmadiqaragezlou, Isaac Rahimian Boogar, Javanshir Asadi, Reza Vojdani
Middle East Journal of Cancer June 7, 2020 DOI: 10.30476/mejc.2019.78695.0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Patients with breast and colorectal cancer who reported fear of cancer recurrence |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Breast cancer Colorectal cancer |
| Key findings | MBSR significantly reduced fear of cancer recurrence scores on most inventory components compared with control, except for insight. |
Abstract
Background: Strong fear of cancer recurrence is frequently reported among the cancer survivors. Such influential and universal fear is one of the factors that cause considerable emotional distress, anxiety, and decreasing quality of life among such patients. Given the importance of the subject, it is necessary to select psychological interventions in which the efficiency and feasibility have been proved in different trials. The present study aims to determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction on fear of cancer recurrence in patients with colorectal and breast cancer.
Methods: The current study is a randomized clinical trial with experiment and control groups. We selected 38 patients with breast and colorectal cancer who referred to Shahid Motahari Clinic and Amir Oncology Hospital in Shiraz (96-97), then randomly assigned them to intervention and control groups. They filled out questionnaires in the pre-test and post-test. The data were analyzed by multivariate statistical test with SPSS v. 23 software.
Results: Findings show that the post-test mean scores in the fear of cancer inventory have decreased in the intervention group and there was a significant difference between experimental and control groups in the components of fear of cancer inventory as follows: triggers (F=55.289, P<0.0001), severity (F= 75.785, P<0.0001), psychological distress (F=24.078, P<0.0001), dysfunction (F=62/025, P<0.0001), coping strategies (F=15.592, P<0.0001), reassurance (F= 6.235, P<0.017), and except insight (F= 1.396, P<0.245).
Conclusion: The results from this study showed that MBSR is an efficacious intervention to reduce fear of cancer recurrence in patients with breast and colorectal cancer.
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
- The effect of MBCT mindfulness-based cognitive therapy techniques on increasing hope in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy International Journal of New Findings in Health and Educational Sciences September 21, 2024
- Efficacy of New Mindfulness-Based Swinging Technique Intervention: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Among Women With Breast Cancer Frontiers in Psychology July 4, 2022
- Evidence of psychological and biological effects of structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions for cancer patients and survivors: A meta-review. Psycho-Oncology November 2021