The Experience of Shared Meditation Involving People With Cancer, Health Professionals and Third Persons: A Qualitative Focus-Group Study

Abstract

In recent years, mindfulness-based interventions have gained in popularity as a non-pharmacological intervention for improving well-being in oncology. Our project aims to address the benefit of shared meditation involving patients, medical staff ant third parties (neither patients, nor carers). The intervention programme was based on 12 weekly 2h sessions (including 2 half-day retreats), followed by 3 monthly follow-up sessions in remote format. Focus groups were conducted at the end of our programme for each category of the 42 participants who experienced shared meditation based on 5 preselected open-ended questions. Responses were transcribed and analysed using NVivo software. Four salient themes were identified attesting that shared meditation: (1) was a positive experience, with physical and psychological benefits, even though requiring much commitment, (2) provided an experience enabling them to see themselves as people rather than just patients, (3) allowed them to rethink their lives by reconsidering their relationship with themselves and their disease, and (4) improved their relationships, not only with carers in the therapeutic setting but also outside it, with third parties. Their feelings of stigmatisation linked to the disease were attenuated. Improvement of psychosocial skills was reported as a major benefit of shared meditation. Beyond the positive effects on well-being, shared meditation could enable patients and others to develop a sense of social connectedness and to nurture a sense of common humanity. Our qualitative data provide valuable insights into how shared meditation can be implemented, not only within the care setting but also within the community at large. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06041607 registered: 09/18/2023