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.
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
Cites 8
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Short-term effect of internet-delivered mindfulness-based stress reduction on mental health, self-efficacy, and body image among women with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic Frontiers in Psychology October 25, 2022
- The impact of mindfulness on cancer‐related cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints Cancer January 10, 2023
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Breast Cancer (MBSR(BC)) a Treatment for Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI): A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine September 18, 2024
- The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cancer-related fatigue in oncology patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis PLoS One July 14, 2022
and 3 more in the library