Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Therapy for Reducing Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Cancer
Mei-fen Zhang, Yong-Shan Wen, Weiyan Liu, Lifen Peng, Xiao-Dan Wu, Qianwen Liu
Medicine November 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000897 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 888 |
| Population | Patients diagnosed with cancer |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction art therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions reduced anxiety (pooled SMD −0.75) and depression (pooled SMD −0.90) significantly more than control conditions in cancer patients. Anxiety improvement was significant at follow-ups of 12 weeks or less but not after 12 weeks. The authors conclude that further research is needed to determine how long these benefits persist. |
Abstract
AbstractAnxiety and depression are common among patients with cancer, and are often treated with psychological interventions including mindfulness-based therapy.The aim of the study was to perform a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for improving anxiety and depression in patients with cancer.Medline, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched. The randomized controlled trials designed for patients diagnosed with cancer were included. Mindfulness-based interventions were provided.The outcomes assessed were the changes in anxiety and depression scores from before to after the intervention. The treatment response was determined by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) for individual studies and for pooled study results. Subgroup analyses by cancer type, type of therapy, and length of follow-up were performed.Seven studies, involving 469 participants who received mindfulness-based interventions and 419 participants in a control group, were included in the meta-analysis. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and art therapy were the most common interventions (5/7 studies). All studies reported anxiety and depression scores. The pooled SMD of the change in anxiety significantly favored mindfulness-based therapy over control treatment (−0.75, 95% confidence interval −1.28, −0.22, P = 0.005). Likewise, the pooled SMD of the change in depression also significantly favored mindfulness-based therapy over control (−0.90, 95% confidence interval −1.53, −0.26, P = 0.006). During the length of follow-ups less than 12 weeks, mindfulness-based therapy significantly improved anxiety for follow-up ⩽12 weeks after the start of therapy, but not >12 weeks after the start of therapy.There was a lack of consistency between the studies in the type of mindfulness-based/control intervention implemented. Patients had different forms of cancer. Subgroup analyses included a relatively small number of studies and did not account for factors such as the severity of anxiety and/or depression, the time since diagnosis, and cancer stage.Mindfulness-based interventions effectively relieved anxiety and depression among patients with cancer. However, additional research is still warranted to determine how long the beneficial effects of mindfulness-based therapy persist.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 37
- 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
- Using mindfulness-based stress reduction to relieve loneliness, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine September 15, 2023
- Exploring the Effects of Variety and Amount of Mindfulness Practices on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms: Longitudinal Study on a Mental Health-Focused eHealth System for Patients With Breast or Prostate Cancer. JMIR Mental Health November 21, 2024
- 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
- MINDFULNESS CONTRIBUTIONS ON MEDICAL CONDITIONS: A LITERATURE REVIEW Psicologia Saúde & Doenças July 31, 2018
and 32 more in the library
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