Key result
A 5-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program significantly reduced median anxiety (6.5 vs 11.0, p=0.013) and depression (3.0 vs 7.5, p=0.002) scores compared to waitlist in cancer patients.
Why the study?
In Malaysia, MBSR had been evaluated in healthcare professionals and students, but not among patients with chronic diseases, particularly cancer.
Does a five-week MBSR intervention reduce anxiety and depression and improve quality of life in cancer patients?
RCT (n=38)
Randomly assigned
No
Does a five-week MBSR intervention reduce anxiety and depression and improve quality of life in cancer patients?
Absolute Event Rate: 6.5% vs 11%
p-value: p=0.013
A five-week MBSR program significantly reduces anxiety and depression in cancer patients, though its effect on overall quality of life remains inconclusive.
Supports brief MBSR for anxiety and depression in cancer patients; extends evidence to abbreviated programs.
Introduction: Anxiety and depression are widespread among cancer patients, and they have a negative impact on their health-related quality of life. MBSR has been used to treat psychological problems in a variety of chronic conditions, including cancer, for many years. It has been utilized clinically all around the world. In Malaysia, MBSR has been evaluated on medical doctors, nurses, and medical students, but not on disease patients, particularly cancer patients. Objective: This study looked at the effects of a five-week MBSR intervention on a group of cancer patients in Penang, Malaysia. Methodology: A purposive convenient sampling was used and upon consented, we manage to recruit 55 cancer patients for this study. To increase the number of participants, we choose patients regardless of their diagnosis types, stage, and duration of cancer. The patients were randomly assigned to the MBSR intervention group or the Waitlist group: The Intervention group was given a five-week MBSR intervention in addition to their regular check-up. The Wait-list group, on the other hand, was required to undergo regular medical examinations. Both groups had their HADS and EORTQLC-C30 pre and post intervention data gathered. Result: The intervention group had 22 patients, while the wait-list group had 16. The MBSR Intervention Group had reduced levels of anxiety and depression, while the wait list had greater levels of both. (p<0.05). The EORTQLC-C30 finding, however, was inconclusive. Conclusion: These findings support the use of the MBSR programme for cancer patients with anxiety and depression. However, EORTQLC-C30 requires further elaboration on the sub-domain of the result.
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Othman et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in Cancer (n=38). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) vs. Waitlist (regular check-up) was evaluated on Post-intervention anxiety score (HADS) (p=0.013). A 5-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program significantly reduced median anxiety (6.5 vs 11.0, p=0.013) and depression (3.0 vs 7.5, p=0.002) scores compared to waitlist in cancer patients.
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