Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Author: Li-Ying Lin1,2, Li-Hua Lin1, Ghao-Ling Tzeng1,3, Ya-Hui Huang1,4, Jui-Fen Tai1, Yu-Ling Chen1, Chia-Jung Wu1, Pin-Hsi Chen1, Pei-Chin Lin5,6, Pi-Lien Hung7,8
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. <sup>2</sup> Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan. <sup>3</sup> College of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. <sup>4</sup> College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. <sup>5</sup> Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. <sup>6</sup> Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. <sup>7</sup> Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. plhung@vghks.gov.tw. <sup>8</sup> Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No. 386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist., Kaohsiung, 81362, Taiwan. plhung@vghks.gov.tw.
Conference/Journal: J Clin Psychol Med Settings
Date published: 2022 Mar 6
Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s10880-022-09862-z. , Word Count: 150

This meta-analysis was a systematic review of evidence on the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on quality of life (QOL), pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients. Until July 2020, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The study included 18 RCTs. The MBSR/MBCT intervention resulted in a significant effect on QOL (SMD 0.80, CI 0.28, 1.32, I2 = 94%). In subgroup analysis, MBSR/MBCT interventions had a significant effect in the early cancer stage on anxiety (SMD - 3.48, CI - 4.07, - 2.88), and QOL (SMD 4.30, CI 3.62, 4.99); in alleviating decreasing pain (SMD - 0.42, CI - 0.70, - 0.14) within 4 weeks after the end of intervention, and alleviating fatigue in younger participants (SMD - 0.64, CI - 1.09, - 0.19). MBSR/MBCT has short-term effects on cancer patients, especially in younger patients and early cancer stages.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Fatigue; Mindfulness-based therapy; Quality of life.

PMID: 35249176 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-022-09862-z