Meditation as a moderator of the effect of optimism on positive coping for cancer patients

Abstract: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of two psychosocial interventions, a meditation group and a supportive therapy group, on positive coping in cancer patients. Participants were recruited from a large cancer specialty hospital in NYC. All patients completed the Life Orientation Test, Revised (LOT-R), measuring optimism, and a coping skills inventory (COPE), and provided qualitative data describing their intervention experience. Positive and negative coping indices were aggregated from the COPE subscales. Positive coping included acceptance plus positive refraining and negative coping included denial plus behavioral disengagement. The interaction of optimism and group participation was evaluated to determine if group participation moderated coping choices. Both interventions were led by two healthcare professionals trained in the specific treatment interventions. Meditation group facilitators had prior personal experience with the use of meditation. The interventions were conducted two hours each week for 7 weeks. The meditation group used a Western form of meditation. The supportive therapy group used a Rogerian orientation. Of the twenty-six (26) patients, heterogeneous with respect to cancer type and stage, who completed the intervention, 15 were randomized to the meditation group and 11 to the supportive therapy group. Meditation group participant scores in optimism and positive coping increased and negative coping decreased after the intervention. Scores for the supportive therapy group participants did not change. Although this study failed to confirm the existence of a moderation effect, a significant main effect for group participation emerged. Qualitative data is presented that supports these findings. These results are consistent with current theory that meditation groups are effective because they rely on the individual's own resources to define their optimal coping strategies. This leads to a more satisfying way of life. Future studies are necessary to confirm these results in a larger sample and different populations. Results could lead to putting interventions in place to support the chronically and terminally ill patients and their caregivers. The effectiveness of meditation groups to enhance positive coping in cancer patients has important and broad implications for research and practice.