Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on quality of sleep among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Summary

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly enhance sleep quality for cancer patients, with a moderate effect size of 0.598 across 25 studies involving 2,263 participants. Of these, 1,157 engaged in MBIs while 1,106 served as controls. The average age of participants was approximately 54 years, predominantly male. Notably, factors like funding and timing influenced the effectiveness of these interventions. Given the absence of reported adverse effects, MBIs present a promising complementary approach for improving sleep quality in those facing cancer.

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effects of MBIs on quality of sleep in patients with cancer and explore methods, intervention and participants' characteristics as moderators to the effects. Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to October 2024 including Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, Age line, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and ScienceDirect. We reviewed studies on quality of sleep outcomes for patients with cancer receiving mindfulness-based interventions based on Buddhist teaching. We only reviewed randomized controlled trials written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. We used Funnel plot, Q statistics, and I2 to test the heterogeneity across studies. Also, we examined moderators to explore sources of heterogeneity. Across 25 included studies providing 26 comparisons (N = 2263), 1157 cancer patients participated in mindfulness interventions; 1106 served as controls. Most cancer patients were males (s = 14). Mean age ranged from 39.02 to 70.86 yrs. (Mean = 53.70, SD = 6.52). Overall, MBIs had a moderate effect on improving quality of sleep among cancer patients (g = 0.598, 95 %CI 0.332, 0.864, p < .001, I2 = 88 %). Funding and time of outcome measure were moderators affecting ES. No primary studies reported the adverse effects. MBIs significantly improved quality of sleep among patients with cancer. Clinicians should consider using MBIs as alternative complementary treatment for improving quality of sleep among patients with cancer.

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