Randomized controlled pilot study of mindfulness-based stress reduction for persistently fatigued cancer survivors.
Shelley A Johns, Linda F. Brown, Kathleen A Beck-Coon, Patrick O Monahan, Yan Tong, Kurt Kroenke
Psycho-Oncology August 17, 2014 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3648 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 35 |
| Population | Cancer survivors with clinically significant cancer-related fatigue |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) mindfulness meditation yoga self-regulatory responses to stress |
| Duration | 7-week intervention; assessments at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 6 months after course completion |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Neoplasms Treatment outcome Yoga Pilot projects Sample size Stress, psychological Selection bias Middle aged Survivors Waiting lists Female Sleep wake disorders Persons with disabilities Oncology Cancer-related fatigue |
| Key findings | MBSR produced large post-intervention reductions in fatigue interference and severity and improvements in vitality, depression, and sleep disturbance compared with wait-list controls, with benefits maintained or strengthened at 1 month and sustained 6 months after the course. The authors describe MBSR as a promising treatment for cancer-related fatigue and related symptoms. |
Abstract
Objective: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common, persistent, and disabling symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. Evidence-based treatments that are acceptable to patients are critically needed. This study examined the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for CRF and related symptoms.
Method: A sample of 35 cancer survivors with clinically significant CRF was randomly assigned to a 7-week MBSR-based intervention or wait-list control group. The intervention group received training in mindfulness meditation, yoga, and self-regulatory responses to stress. Fatigue interference (primary outcome) and a variety of secondary outcomes (e.g., fatigue severity, vitality, disability, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Bonferroni correction was employed to account for multiple comparisons. Controls received the intervention after the 1-month follow-up. Participants in both groups were followed for 6 months after completing their respective MBSR courses to assess maintenance of effects.
Results: Compared to controls, the MBSR group reported large post-intervention reductions as assessed by effect sizes (d) in the primary outcome, fatigue interference (d = -1.43, p < 0.001), along with fatigue severity (d = -1.55, p < 0.001), vitality (d = 1.29, p < 0.001), depression (d = -1.30, p < 0.001), and sleep disturbance (d = -0.74, p = 0.001). Results were maintained or strengthened at 1-month follow-up, the point at which significant improvements in disability (d = -1.22, p < 0.002) and anxiety (d = -0.98, p = 0.002) occurred. Improvements in all outcomes were maintained 6 months after completing the course. MBSR adherence was high, with 90% attendance across groups and high rates of participant-reported home practice of mindfulness.
Conclusions: Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a promising treatment for CRF and associated symptoms.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 39
- Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs PLoS One April 16, 2015
- 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
- The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on symptom burden, positive psychological outcomes, and biomarkers in cancer patients Cancer Management and Research June 1, 2015
- Web-based individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for cancer-related fatigue — A pilot study Internet Interventions April 6, 2015
- Using mindfulness-based stress reduction to relieve loneliness, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine September 15, 2023
and 34 more in the library
Cites 9
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- 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 cognitive therapy reduces chronic cancer-related fatigue: a treatment study. Psycho-Oncology March 2012
- Mindfulness based stress reduction in post-treatment breast cancer patients: an examination of symptoms and symptom clusters. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2012
- What is the evidence for the use of mindfulness-based interventions in cancer care? A review. Psycho-Oncology August 4, 2010
and 4 more in the library