Evidence of psychological and biological effects of structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions for cancer patients and survivors: A meta-review.
Juliana Pedro, Sara Monteiro-Reis, Carina Carvalho-Maia, Rui Henrique, Carmen Jerónimo, Eunice R Silva
Psycho-Oncology November 2021 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5771 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer Immune response Inflammatory-related markers Meta-review Oncology Psychological |
| Key findings | The authors report that MBSR, MBCT, and MBCR show small to medium beneficial effects on psychological health (anxiety, depression, stress, quality of life) in cancer patients, with a beneficial effect on biological outcomes based on few studies. They note effects tend not to be maintained at longer follow-ups, including six months. |
Abstract
A large number of studies have been conducted exploring the effects of mindfulness programs on health outcomes, such as psychological and biological outcomes. However, there is substantial heterogeneity among studies and, consequently, in the systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Since clinical practice is massively informed by evidence on review studies, our main objective was to summarize the reported evidence regarding the effects of structured mindfulness-based programs on psychological, biological, and quality-of-life outcomes in cancer patients. We conducted a meta-review, using a literature search from inception to June 2020 in several electronic databases using a combination of keywords including MBSR, MBCT, cancer, and meta-analysis OR "systematic review" (PROSPERO registration CRD42020186511). Ten studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. The main findings were beneficial small to medium effect sizes of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)/Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) on psychological health, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life. A beneficial effect was found for biological outcomes, albeit based on a reduced number of studies. Studies were moderate homogenous regarding the intervention, population, and outcomes explored. Results on long-term follow-up seem to indicate that the effects tend not to be maintained, namely in shorter follow-ups (6 months). This meta-review brings a broad perspective on the actual evidence regarding MBSR/MBCT/MBCR. We expect to contribute to future project design, focused on developing high-quality studies and exploring the moderating effects that might contribute to biased results, as well as exploring who might benefit more from MBSR/MBCT/MBCT interventions.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- Psychosocial and Integrative Oncology: Interventions Across the Disease Trajectory Annual Review of Psychology September 14, 2022
- Effectiveness of Web-Based Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses. Journal of Medical Internet Research June 25, 2024
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery training on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer-related fatigue in breast neoplasm patients undergoing chemotherapy. Medicine June 7, 2024
- Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Psychosocial Symptoms in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Current Oncology June 30, 2025
- Traditional Islamic spiritual meditative practices: powerful psychotherapies for mental wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
and 16 more in the library
Cites 18
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- 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
- Classical mindfulness: an introduction to its theory and practice for clinical application. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2009
and 13 more in the library