Efficacy and mechanisms of 4-week MBSR on psychological distress in lung cancer patients: A single-center, single-blind, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial.
Xu Tian, Zhongli Liao, Lijuan Yi, Ling Tang, Guihua Chen, María F. Jiménez Herrera
Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing January 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2022.100151 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 175 |
| Population | Patients with lung cancer |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 4-week intervention; follow-up at preintervention, immediate postintervention, 1 month, and 3 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Lung cancer Psychological distress Structural equation modeling |
| Key findings | A 4-week MBSR program significantly alleviated psychological distress, decreased perceived stigma, improved social support, and enhanced mindfulness compared with usual care at immediate postintervention and at 1 and 3 months. Changes in social support, mindfulness, and perceived stigma mediated the effect on psychological distress. |
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a 4-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on psychological distress in patients with lung cancer and elucidate its mechanisms. This single-center, single-blinded, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 175 patients with lung cancer randomly allocated to a 4-week MBSR or a waiting-list group. The efficacy and mechanisms of the 4-week MBSR program were evaluated by outcome measures at preintervention (T0), the immediate postintervention (T1), 1 month (T2), and 3 months (T3). We analyzed the collected data using the per-protocol set principle, independent sample t-test, repeated measure analysis of variance, and structural equation modeling. The 4-week MBSR program significantly alleviated psychological distress (F = 15.05, P < 0.001), decreased perceived stigma (F = 8.260, P = 0.005), improved social support (F = 16.465, P < 0.001), and enhanced mindfulness (F = 17.207, P < 0.001) compared with usual care at T1, T2, and T3. All variables significantly changed over time except for copying style (P = 0.250). The changes in social support, mindfulness, and perceived stigma mediated the efficacy of the 4-week MBSR program on psychological distress (β = -0.292, P = 0.005; β = -0.358, P = 0.005). This study shows the benefits of the MBSR program for psychological distress, social support, mindfulness, and perceived stigma in patients with lung cancer. Also, it elucidates the mechanisms by which the MBSR program alleviates psychological distress by improving social support, enhancing mindfulness, and decreasing perceived stigma. The findings provide insights into applying the MBSR program to reduce psychological distress among patients with lung cancer.
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
Cited by 7
- Feasibility and effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and posttraumatic growth among military medical college students. Acta Psychologica November 1, 2024
- A Critical Review and 10-Year Update on Prospects for a Clinical Science of Mindfulness-Based Intervention Mindfulness July 7, 2026
- Changes in Depressive Symptoms Following Mindfulness Training in Female Patients With Abdominal or Abdominopelvic Cancer: A Preliminary Non-Randomized Controlled Study. Psycho-Oncology August 1, 2026
- Rapid Reduction in Cancer Worry Through a Mindfulness-based Coping Programme: Evidence from a Randomised Trial with Women Awaiting Biopsy Results. Seminars in Oncology Nursing June 27, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Alleviates Depression, Anxiety, and Internalized Stigma Compared With Treatment-as-Usual Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety September 11, 2025
and 2 more in the library
Cites 13
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- Mindfulness‐based interventions for psychological and physical health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Psycho-Oncology September 11, 2019
- The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Psychological Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychology June 28, 2022
- Mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in adults in nonclinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PLoS Medicine January 11, 2021
and 8 more in the library