Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Survivors of Lung Cancer and Their Partners: A Systematic Review.
Karen Kane McDonnell, Otis L Owens, Fattona Umari
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine October 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-022-10132-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Survivors of lung cancer and/or one selected partner (dyads) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) yoga stretching breathing |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Dyads Lung neoplasm Mindfulness-based interventions Systematic review |
| Key findings | The review identified six studies of mindfulness-based interventions for lung cancer survivors and their partners: four single-arm feasibility studies reporting strong feasibility and acceptability, and two randomized controlled trials reporting significant improvements in cancer-related distress, depression, quality of life, self-compassion, mindfulness skills, and rumination. The authors note that few interventions target this dyad and none target partners alone, and call for more rigorous research on independent and interdependent effects within dyads. |
Abstract
Survivors of lung cancer and their partners often have complex unresolved physical, psychosocial, and behavioral needs that can negatively affect the survivors' and partners' well-being. This systematic review aimed to (1) examine the content and delivery of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and (2) summarize and synthesize the current evidence for effectiveness of MBIs targeting survivors of lung cancer and/or one selected partner (dyads). Six databases were searched for interventional studies published in English between 1980 and June 2020 using three terms (lung neoplasms, mindfulness, caregivers). For outcome measures, the interventions focused on behavioral change (meditation, yoga, stretching, breathing), symptom management (dyspnea, fatigue, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, stress reduction), and knowledge. Two reviewers independently assessed article eligibility. One reviewer performed and another independently verified data extraction. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to critically appraise RCTs. Searching yielded 307 records, of which 64 were assessed for eligibility. Six studies investigated the impact of an MBI on survivors and partners. Four studies were single-arm feasibility studies; two were RCTs. Two feasibility studies and one RCT recruited romantic couples whereas the others recruited asymmetrical dyads. The single-arm studies reported strong feasibility and acceptability. RCTs reported significant outcomes for reduced cancer-related distress and depression, and improved QOL, self-compassion, mindfulness skills, and rumination. Dyadic intervention research is a growing field. Few interventions target individuals with lung cancer and their partners. No interventions target partners alone. Future research should evaluate rigorous methodologies that enhance the understanding of independent and interdependent health-related effects within dyads and across relationships and settings.
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 4
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Couple Interventions on Psychological Distress in Patients With Cancer and Their Partners: A Critical Review. Journal of Clinical Nursing May 23, 2025
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction in managing fatigue, anxiety, and depression among non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine April 3, 2026
- The Experience of Shared Meditation Involving People With Cancer, Health Professionals and Third Persons: A Qualitative Focus-Group Study Integrative Cancer Therapies April 1, 2026
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2023
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