Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Li-Ying Lin, Li-Hua Lin, Ghao-Ling Tzeng, Ya-Hui Huang, Jui-Fen Tai, Yu-Ling Chen, Chia-Jung Wu, Pin-Hsi Chen, Pei-Chin Lin, Pi-Lien Hung
Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings June 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-022-09862-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Fatigue Mindfulness-based therapy Quality of life |
| Key findings | MBSR/MBCT showed significant short-term effects on quality of life in cancer patients (SMD 0.80), with subgroup benefits for anxiety and quality of life in early-stage cancer, pain reduction within 4 weeks after intervention, and fatigue reduction in younger participants. The authors conclude benefits are short-term and most evident in younger patients and early cancer stages. |
Abstract
This meta-analysis was a systematic review of evidence on the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on quality of life (QOL), pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients. Until July 2020, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The study included 18 RCTs. The MBSR/MBCT intervention resulted in a significant effect on QOL (SMD 0.80, CI 0.28, 1.32, I2 = 94%). In subgroup analysis, MBSR/MBCT interventions had a significant effect in the early cancer stage on anxiety (SMD - 3.48, CI - 4.07, - 2.88), and QOL (SMD 4.30, CI 3.62, 4.99); in alleviating decreasing pain (SMD - 0.42, CI - 0.70, - 0.14) within 4 weeks after the end of intervention, and alleviating fatigue in younger participants (SMD - 0.64, CI - 1.09, - 0.19). MBSR/MBCT has short-term effects on cancer patients, especially in younger patients and early cancer stages.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Depression in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies 2023
- The Impact of Mindfulness on Functional Brain Connectivity and Peripheral Inflammation in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Complaints Cancers July 15, 2023
- 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
- The impact of mindfulness intervention on negative emotions and quality of life in malignant tumor patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- MBSR effects on positive psychological traits and experiential avoidance in head and neck cancer: a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology December 1, 2025
and 11 more in the library
Cites 25
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- 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
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on breast cancer symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis Einstein 2018
- A Systematic Review: Mindfulness Intervention for Cancer-Related Pain. Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing April 1, 2019
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Persistent Pain in Women Treated for Primary Breast Cancer: Exploring Possible Statistical Mediators: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of Pain January 2018
and 20 more in the library