The Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review.
Lauren M Carney, Crystal L Park, Pooja Hingorany
Psychology of Consciousness June 15, 2023 DOI: 10.1037/cns0000362 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult cancer patients and survivors |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer Mediator Psycho-oncology Systematic review |
| Key findings | Only 13 of 156 experimental or quasi-experimental studies of mindfulness-based stress reduction or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in adult cancer patients and survivors longitudinally tested mediators. Evidence on mindfulness as a mediator was inconclusive, most other mediators were tested in only one study, and most studies lacked strong active control groups. The authors argue that these limitations, along with inconsistent conceptualizations of mindfulness, preclude strong conclusions and that mediation should continue to be tested in this population. |
Abstract
While many systematic reviews have focused on relationships between mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and myriad outcomes, no systematic review has examined the mechanisms through which MBIs affect outcomes in the context of cancer. A systematic review was conducted of experimental or quasi-experimental studies that longitudinally examined potential mechanisms of the effects of either mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) interventions with adult cancer patients and survivors. Searches were conducted in Pubmed, APA PsycInfo, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, and Scopus databases up to May 2022. The results of included studies were narratively synthesized and studies were graded for quality using a rubric tailored to mediational intervention studies. Of 156 experimental or quasi-experimental studies that implemented either MBSR or MBCT interventions with adult cancer patients and survivors, only 13 longitudinally tested for mediators (e.g., changes in mindfulness, rumination, and self-compassion) of intervention effects. Most studies lacked a strong, active control group and most (10/13) were of medium quality. Results on mindfulness as a mediator of intervention effects were inconclusive, and many other mediators were only tested within a single study. Methodological limitations, including lack of strong comparison groups and theoretical frameworks and inconsistent conceptualizations of mindfulness, preclude drawing strong conclusions from the current body of evidence. MBIs may operate differently for cancer patients/survivors, highlighting the importance of continuing to test for mediation within this population.