MBSR effects on positive psychological traits and experiential avoidance in head and neck cancer: a randomized controlled trial.
Zheng Zhang, Qingqin Zhang, Ping Lu, Nurul Izzah Shari, Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar, Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus, Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah
European Journal of Psychotraumatology December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2501822 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Head and neck cancer patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Dose | one-hour session once a week with 45 minutes of home assignments for six weeks |
| Duration | 6-week intervention with follow-up at T1 and T2 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Atención plena Esperanza Evitación experiencial Experiential avoidance Hope Optimismo Reducción del estrés Stress reduction Mindfulness-based interventions mindfulness Psychological well-being optimism |
| Citations | 3 |
| Registration | NCT04800419 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly increased optimism and later hope in head and neck cancer patients, with experiential avoidance partially mediating the effect on posttraumatic growth. |
Abstract
Background: Data on the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) positive psychological traits and experiential avoidance (EA) among cancer patients are lacking.Objective: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to: (1) compare the efficacy between MBSR and treatment-as-usual (TAU) control groups in increasing posttraumatic growth (PTG), hope, and optimism and reducing EA across time measurements (T0, T1, and T2) among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and (2) evaluate the mediation effects of hope, optimism, and EA on the relationship between MBSR and PTG.Methods: A total of 80 HNC participants were randomized to MBSR (n = 40) and TAU (n = 40) groups with the researchers and data analyst blinded, and the group allocation of the participants was concealed. A one-hour MBSR session was conducted once a week, with 45 minutes of home assignments, for six weeks in the MBSR group. The outcomes across time measurements were compared using a mixed linear model following intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Mediation effects of hope, optimism, and EA on the relationship between MBSR and PTG were assessed with PROCESS.Results: MBSR significantly increased the degree of optimism from T0 to T1 (mean difference = 1.825, 95% CI = 0.907-2.743, SE = 0.381, p < .001) with a medium effect size (d = 0.563) and from T1 to T2 (mean difference = 1.650, 95% CI = 0.829-2.470, SE = 0.328, p < .001) with a medium effect size (d = 0.630). Initially, MBSR did not increase the degree of hope from T0 to T1 (p = .677), but it significantly increased hope from T1 to T2 (mean difference = 2.524, 95% CI = 1.676-3.373, SE = 0.340, p < .001) with a medium effect size (d = 0.735). Conversely, MBSR did not sustain the changes in the degree of PTG and EA beyond T1. EA partially mediated the relationship between MBSR and PTG, but not hope and optimism.Conclusion: MBSR can be recommended as part of the treatment regimen for HNC patients.Trial
Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04800419.
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
Cites 4
- Does self-report mindfulness mediate the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on spirituality and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients? The Journal of Positive Psychology June 30, 2014
- The use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for breast cancer patients-meta-analysis. BMC Psychology November 1, 2024
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings June 2022
- Mechanisms of Mindfulness Training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) Clinical Psychology Review November 5, 2016