A Pragmatic Evaluation of Symptom Distress After Group Meditation for Cancer Patients and Caregivers: A Preliminary Report.
Gabriel Lopez, Alejandro Chaoul, Catherine Powers-James, Amy Spelman, Qi Wei, Rosalinda Engle, Yousra Hashmi, Eduardo Bruera, Lorenzo Cohen
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management February 5, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.01.018 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational pre-post study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 142 |
| Population | Cancer center patients and their caregivers attending meditation group classes |
| Interventions | Sacred Sounds Movement & Breath |
| Duration | Single class session; classes were 60 or 90 minutes |
| Measures | Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Neoplasms Treatment outcome Feasibility studies Pilot projects Stress, psychological Middle aged Caregivers Female Young adult Self report Preliminary data Symptoms Integrative medicine Self-reported outcomes Complementary health approaches |
| Key findings | A single meditation group class was followed by clinically significant reductions in global distress (mean -5.17 points on a 0-90 scale) and in individual symptoms of well-being, fatigue, anxiety, and shortness of breath (each at least 1 point on a 0-10 scale) among both patients and caregivers. Symptom improvement did not differ significantly by class length, class content, or participant type. |
Abstract
Context: Complementary health approaches such as meditation may help improve cancer patient and caregiver symptoms, yet little research has examined the clinical application of these programs.
Objectives: We explored the effects of a meditation group class, offered as part of an integrative medicine clinic at a comprehensive cancer center, on patient and caregiver self-reported symptoms.
Methods: Participants (patients and caregivers) of any three meditation group classes offered-Power of Breath (PB), Sacred Sounds (SS), and Movement & Breath (MB)-were asked to complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; scale 0-10, 10 most severe) before and after participation. ESAS individual items and subscales were analyzed; distress subscales included global (global distress score 0-90), physical (physical distress score 0-60), and psychological (psychological distress score, 0-20). Data were analyzed examining premeditation/postmeditation scores using paired t-tests and between types of meditation using analyses of variance.
Results: One hundred forty-two unique participants (76 patients and 66 caregivers) attended one or more meditation groups (mean 1.84) from May to December 2015 (265 total attendance: PB n = 92; SS n = 87; MB n = 86). For all participants, we observed clinically significant reduction/improvement in global distress scores (-5.17, SD 8; P < 0.0001) and in individual symptoms (ESAS decrease ≥ 1; means) of well-being (-1.36 SD 1.7; P < 0.0001), fatigue (-1.34 SD 1.9; P < 0.0001), anxiety (-1.26 SD 1.6; P < 0.001), and shortness of breath (-1.2 SD 2; P = 0.001). Comparing class length (60 vs. 90 minutes), class content (PB vs. SS vs. MB), and participants (caregivers vs. patients), there were no statistically significant differences in symptom score reduction.
Conclusion: A single meditation group class offered as part of clinical care resulted in relief of multiple self-reported symptoms in both patients and caregivers.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- 3-Doors Compassion Project: Examining the longitudinal effects of a nine-month Tibetan mind-body meditation program Current Psychology September 28, 2021
- Bridging the Soteriological-Secular Divide: A 9-Month Online Tibetan Mind-Body Practice Program Enhances Eudaimonic Well-Being and Non-Dual Awareness Mindfulness November 19, 2025
Cites 4
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Cancer, cognitive impairment, and meditation Acta oncologica November 22, 2008
- Increased Mindfulness Is Related to Improved Stress and Mood Following Participation in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program in Individuals With Cancer Integrative Cancer Therapies April 13, 2012
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology April 1, 2010