Improving Cognitive Impairment in Cancer Patients With an Online Course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Anna Baumeister, Lea Schuurmans, Lisa Borgmann, Alena Krause, Luca Schmidt, Steffen Moritz, Matthias Rostock
Psycho-oncology August 2026 DOI: 10.1002/pon.70566 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 170 |
| Population | Cancer patients with cognitive impairments, 3 months to 5 years after completing antitumor therapy |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | FACT-Cog, FACT-G, BFI, PHQ-9, Go-No-Go, VLMT |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Online course Psycho‐oncology |
| Key findings | Online MBSR significantly improved subjective neurocognitive functioning (FACT-Cog, Cohen's d = 0.36-0.72), quality of life (FACT-G, d = 0.32), fatigue (BFI, d = -0.47), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9, d = -0.57), and objective memory (VLMT, d = 0.25) compared to waitlist, with effects maintained at 3-month follow-up. |
Abstract
Cancer patients often suffer from neurocognitive impairments due to cancer treatment, the cancer itself, and/or coping with the illness, significantly impairing quality of life and everyday functioning. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an online MBSR course regarding neurocognitive functioning and well-being of cancer patients. A total of 170 cancer patients with cognitive impairments 3 months to 5 years after completing antitumor therapy were randomized to an online MBSR course led by an experienced therapist or a waitlist control group. Assessments were conducted online at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1, 8 weeks). The control group then received the intervention and was assessed again after 8 weeks (T2). Both groups completed a 3-month follow-up (T3). The primary outcome was subjective neurocognitive functioning (FACT-Cog). Secondary outcomes included quality of life (FACT-G), fatigue (BFI), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), attention (Go-No-Go), and verbal learning and memory (VLMT). Outcomes were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures. Subjective neurocognitive functioning (FACT-Cog) improved significantly in the intervention group compared to controls at T1 (Cohen's d = 0.36-0.72, p = 0.004-< 0.001, depending on subscale), as well as quality of life (FACT-G, Cohen's d = 0.32, p = 0.001), fatigue (BFI, Cohen's d = -0.47, p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9, Cohen's d = -0.57, p < 0.001). Objective memory performance (VLMT, Cohen's d = 0.25, p = 0.030) improved. Effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. The online MBSR course can effectively improve cancer-related cognitive impairment and well-being of cancer patients.