Mindfulness based intervention through mobile app for colorectal cancer people awaiting surgery: A randomized clinical trial.
Cristina Rocamora González, Beatriz Rodriguez-Vega, Marta Torrijos Zarcero, Roberto Mediavilla, Nuria Bouzó Molina, Rocío Plaza Fernández, Isabel Pascual Migueláñez, Ángela Palao Tarrero
Cirugia espanola December 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.cireng.2022.08.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Multicenter, single-blind (evaluator), controlled, randomized trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 82 |
| Population | Patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery, mean age 65 years, referred across multiple centers |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention through a mobile application ("En Calma en el Quirófano") |
| Duration | Assessments at baseline (T0), hospital discharge (T1), and one month after surgery (T2) |
| Measures | HADS, WHOQOL, VAS, CSQ |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Colorectal cancer Cáncer colorrectal New technologies Nuevas tecnologías Post-surgery recovery Recuperación postoperatoria |
| Key findings | The mindfulness mobile application produced no significant changes in anxiety, depression, quality of life, pain, or satisfaction compared with treatment as usual across baseline, discharge, and one-month follow-up. The authors report a slight trend toward fewer depression and anxiety symptoms in the intervention group and suggest that the older sample and low baseline symptom levels may have limited the app's effectiveness. |
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide both in men and women. Around one-third of patients with cancer will suffer from anxiety or depression symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention through a mobile application ("En Calma en el Quirófano"). This study is a multicenter, single-blind (evaluator), controlled, randomised trial that compares the effectiveness of a mindfulness training through a mobile application (intervention group) and treatment as usual (control group) in three different moments (T0 or baseline, T1 or hospital discharge and T2 or one month after surgery). Anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS), quality of life (WHOQOL), pain, (VAS) and satisfaction (CSQ) were assessed. In all, there were 270 referred patients. Among them, 39 and 43 were assigned to the intervention and control groups respectively. 82 patients were analyzed: 39 patients used the app, and 43 patients continued with the treatment as usual. There were no significant changes between groups and time. We observed a slight trend in which intervention group had less depression and anxiety symptoms since T0 and T2 (B = -0.2; 95% CI between 8.8 and 9.2). The sample of this study had a high mean age (65 years old), and low levels of anxiety and depression and medium levels of pre-surgery quality of life in baseline. These factors could have influenced limiting the effectiveness of the app. Prospective research lines should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of mobile applications for younger patients with surgical pathologies.
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 2
- The efficacy of mindfulness apps on symptoms of depression and anxiety: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review February 1, 2024
- Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on mental and physical health outcomes in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine March 21, 2025
Cites 2
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: A review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2016
- An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry April 1, 1982