A study on improving cancer-related fatigue and disease-related psychological variables in patients with cervical cancer based on online mindfulness-based stress reduction: a randomized controlled trial.
ZhiHui Gu, Bo Li, Ling OuYang, Hui Wu
BMC Women's Health September 19, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03368-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 102 |
| Population | Patients with cervical cancer at ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 3- and 6-month follow-up |
| Measures | Cancer Fatigue Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Sense of Coherence-13 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Adaptation, psychological Stress, psychological Social support Adult Middle aged China Uterine cervical neoplasms Female Sense of coherence Surveys and questionnaires Cervical cancer Coping styles Mindfulness-based stress reduction Cancer related fatigue |
| Key findings | MBSR was associated with decreasing cancer-related fatigue, sense of coherence, and coping-style scores in the MBSR group at post-intervention and 3- and 6-month follow-up compared with before MBSR (P < 0.001). Uncertainty in illness decreased immediately after MBSR but rose at 3 and 6 months. The authors conclude MBSR can alleviate cancer-related fatigue and improve the psychological environment, suggesting online MBSR may benefit rehabilitation. |
Abstract
Background: The persistent destructive power of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has been regarded as the biggest influencing factor affecting the postoperative physical and mental health of patients with cervical cancer. During this process, patients might also experience different feelings of disease-related psychological. Therefore, this study aimed to adopt mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to intervene in patients with cervical cancer, and conducted follow-up for 3 and 6 months to observe the effects of changes in CRF, uncertainty in illness, coping styles, sense of coherence (SOC), and perceived social support (PSS).
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University. A total of 102 patients were selected, and 78 patients completed the whole process, including 40 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group. Data were collected according to Cancer Fatigue Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Sense of Coherence-13. The change trend and difference of the two groups of research data were compared by repeated measurement analysis of variance. Bonferroni test was used for multiple tests between groups.
Results: The CRF, SOC, and coping styles of the MBSR group showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.001) at after MBSR, 3 months follow-up, and 6 months follow-up compared to the before MBSR. However, the uncertainty in illness of the MBSR group showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.001) at after MBSR compared to the before MBSR, and it rose in 3 months follow-up and 6 months follow-up.
Conclusion: MBSR can effectively alleviate the fatigue of CRF after treatment, while improving their psychological environment. Medical workers can consider implementing online MBSR for patients with cervical cancer in their daily rehabilitation nursing, which is beneficial for their recovery.
Trial Registration: China Clinical Trial Registration Center ChiCTR2000040122 (https//www.chictr.org.cn/). Registered on November 21, 2020.
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 5
- Effects of online mindfulness-based stress reduction training on depression and anxiety symptoms among psychiatric healthcare workers in a randomized controlled trial: the mediating role of emotional suppression. BMC Psychiatry June 4, 2025
- Mindfulness in Unemployment and Sense of Coherence: A Systematic Review of Quality of Life and Indirect Evidence. Healthcare September 15, 2026
- Mindfulness and Resilience Intersection of Psychology, Esotericism, and Cultural Development July 16, 2026
- Rapid Reduction in Cancer Worry Through a Mindfulness-based Coping Programme: Evidence from a Randomised Trial with Women Awaiting Biopsy Results. Seminars in Oncology Nursing June 27, 2026
- Effect of online mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on psychological distress of perioperative 0-II breast cancer patients
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and 1 more in the library