Mindfulness Based Therapy in Cancer Patients: Meta-Analysis
Kamna Yadav, S. P. K. Jena
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care August 27, 2021 DOI: 10.31557/apjcc.2021.6.3.329-338 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,831 |
| Population | People with cancer and cancer survivors |
| Intervention | MBCT |
| Duration | 5-8 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based programs significantly reduced anxiety (g = 0.34) and depression (g = 0.32) in people with cancer, with moderate heterogeneity, and increased mindfulness (g = 1.061) with high heterogeneity. No publication bias was observed. |
Abstract
Evidence suggested that mindfulness-based techniques have been effective in increasing psychological well-being. The present meta-analytic study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness-based programmes on anxiety, and depression in cancer infected and survivors. Improvement in mindfulness across groups were also studied. Using various search items (e.g., MBCT, MBSR, Cancer). A systematic search of the electronic databases, reference list, and journal content lists were conducted from June 2011 to June 2020. Fourteen randomized controlled trials (N = 1831) evaluating effect of mindfulness in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer, measuring at pre-and-post interventions were included in this study. Random effects model was utilized for effect-size calculation. Interventions were between 5-8 weeks, with majority of participants been female (98.79%). Significant medium effect was observed for anxiety (g = 0.34) and depression (g = 0.32) with moderate heterogeneity and higher for mindfulness (g = 1.061) with high heterogeneity. Publication bias was not observed. Mindfulness has substantial effects in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer infected and survivors.