A mindful self-compassion videoconference intervention for nationally recruited posttreatment young adult cancer survivors: feasibility, acceptability, and psychosocial outcomes.
Rebecca A Campo, Karen Bluth, Sheila J Santacroce, Sarah Knapik, Julia Tan, Stuart Gold, Kamaira Philips, Susan A Gaylord, Gary N Asher
Supportive Care in Cancer January 19, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3586-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm feasibility study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | Young adult cancer survivors ages 18-29, recruited nationally |
| Intervention | Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) intervention |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with weekly 90-minute sessions |
| Measures | intervention satisfaction scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Neoplasms Feasibility studies Empathy Telemedicine Quality of life Videoconferencing Adolescent Survivors Female Young adult Psychiatric rehabilitation Intervention Videoconference Feasibility study Self-compassion |
| Key points | The authors report that an 8-week videoconference Mindful Self-Compassion intervention was feasible and acceptable for young adult cancer survivors: 84% attended at least six of eight sessions and satisfaction averaged 4.36 out of 5. All assessed psychosocial outcomes except resilience showed significant change from baseline to post-intervention, with medium to large effect sizes. They propose these findings can guide a future efficacy randomized controlled trial. |
Abstract
Purpose: Young adult (YA) cancer survivors report substantial distress, social isolation, and body image concerns that can impede successful reintegration into life years after treatment completion. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) interventions focus on developing mindfulness and self-compassion for managing distress, hardships, and perceived personal inadequacies. An MSC intervention would be beneficial in supporting YA survivors' management of psychosocial challenges that arise in survivorship; however, a telehealth intervention modality is essential for reaching this geographically dispersed population. We conducted a single-arm feasibility study of an MSC 8-week videoconference intervention for nationally recruited YA survivors (ages 18-29).
Methods: The MSC intervention was group-based, 90-minute videoconference sessions, held weekly over 8 weeks, with audio-supplemented home practice. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed via attendance rate and an intervention satisfaction scale. Baseline to post-intervention changes in psychosocial outcomes (body image, anxiety, depression, social isolation, posttraumatic growth, resilience, self-compassion, mindfulness) were assessed using paired t tests and Cohen's d effect sizes.
Results: Thirty-four participants were consented and 25 attended a videoconference group. Feasibility was established with 84% attending at least six of the eight sessions, and intervention acceptability was high (M = 4.36, SD = 0.40, score range = 1-5). All psychosocial outcomes, except for resilience, demonstrated significant changes (p < 0.002), with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's d > 0.5).
Conclusion: YA survivors are interested in receiving an MSC videoconference intervention. Feasibility, acceptance, and potential psychosocial benefits of the intervention were demonstrated. Findings can be applied toward the design of an efficacy randomized controlled trial to improve quality of life for YA survivors in transition after cancer treatment.
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 7
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Culturally Adapted, Community-Based, Remotely Delivered Mindfulness Program for Latinx Patients With Breast Cancer is Acceptable and Feasible While Reducing Anxiety. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024
- Effectiveness of an Internet-Based, Self-Guided, Short-Term Mindfulness Training (ISSMT) Program for Relieving Depressive Symptoms in the Adult Population in China: Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research February 13, 2025
- Internet-Based Self-Help Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention for Parents of Children With Cancer: A Pilot Study. Western Journal of Nursing Research December 1, 2023
- Effects of a Virtual Mindful Self-Compassion Training on Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, Empathy, Well-being and Stress in Uruguayan Primary School Teachers During Covid-19 Times. Research Square May 12, 2023
- Virtual Group-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Autistic Adults: a Feasibility Study. Mindfulness June 13, 2022
and 2 more in the library
Cites 3
- Making Friends With Yourself: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study of a Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Adolescents. Mindfulness December 19, 2015
- A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology October 15, 2012
- Validation of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale in a cancer population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research January 2005