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Impact of mind-body treatment interventions on quality of life in neurofibromatosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Grace Wei, Jeffrey Farooq, Ambuj Kumar

Dermatologic Therapy January 2021 DOI: 10.1111/dth.14613 (opens in new tab)

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Characteristics Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed
Population Individuals with neurofibromatosis, including NF2 patients experiencing deafness and youth with NF
Duration Follow-up to 6 months
Topics Meditation
Keywords Mind-body therapy Neurofibromatosis Quality-of-life Resilience
Key findings Pooled randomized controlled trial data from six citations indicated that NF-adapted mind-body therapies were associated with improved physical (MD = 13.63), psychological (MD = 14.11), social (MD = 9.63), and environmental (MD = 14.14) quality of life. Physical, psychological, and environmental improvements were maintained at six-month follow-up.

Abstract

Individuals with neurofibromatosis (NF) experience poorer quality of life (QoL), in part contributed by the clinical manifestations of NF, such as functional disability, chronic pain, and altered physical appearance. Mind-body therapies (MBTs) tailored to NF have been developed, and have demonstrated promising potential to improve QoL in this population. We sought to systematically review current evidence on the effectiveness of MBTs in addressing QoL deficits in NF patients. Databases were reviewed between the date of inception and June 2020, using search terms: neurofibromatosis, schwannomatosis, psychotherapy, mind-body, mindfulness, meditation, resiliency, and behavioral therapy. Quality appraisal was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools and National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tools. We conducted a meta-analysis of mean differences and reported aggregate effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 10 articles, including randomized-controlled trials and pre-post studies, were identified. Meta-analytic results of randomized-controlled trial data from six citations demonstrated MBTs were associated with improved physical (MD = 13.63, 95%CI 6.95-20.30, P < .0001, I2 = 24%), psychological (MD = 14.11, 95%CI 6.44-21.78, P = .0003, I2 = 38%), social (MD = 9.63, 95%CI 2.93-16.33, P = .005, I2 = 0%), and environmental QoL (MD = 14.14, 95%CI 8.28-20.00, P < .00001. I2 = 0%) in NF patients. These associations were maintained at 6-months follow-up for physical, psychological, and environmental QoL (P < .05). Our findings suggest that NF-adapted MBT strategies are associated with improving QoL in diverse NF populations, including NF2 patients experiencing deafness and youth NF patients. Providers and caregivers for NF should be aware of the potential benefits of MBT in chronic NF management.

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

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