Using mindfulness-based stress reduction to relieve loneliness, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Junye Yu, Mingyue Han, Fengru Miao, Dan Hua
Medicine September 15, 2023 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034917
Summary
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) significantly alleviates loneliness, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients. An analysis of 16 studies with 2,072 participants revealed that MBSR interventions lasting 6 to 8 weeks led to a notable decrease in loneliness (standard mean difference: -0.35), anxiety (-0.51), and depression (-0.61) compared to standard care. Most participants were breast cancer patients, with follow-up durations ranging from 6 to 53 weeks. These findings suggest that MBSR could be a valuable tool for enhancing emotional well-being in cancer care.
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been suggested as an effective mind-body approach for relieving stress in patients with chronic diseases. As of yet, there is no conclusive research on MBSR's role in reducing affective disorders among cancer patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether MBSR has an impact on loneliness, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from the start of these databases to January 2nd, 2022 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Two authors independently conducted the literature search, collected the data, and performed the statistical analysis. In order to account for potential between-study heterogeneity, a random-effect model was used in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included 16 studies with 2072 cancer patients. Among the 16 studies, 13 included patients with breast cancer, and the follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 53 weeks. Compared to controls receiving standard cancer care, interventions of MBSR with sessions for 6 to 8 weeks significantly improved loneliness (standard mean difference [SMD]: -0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.59 to -0.12, P = .003, I2 = 46%), anxiety (SMD: -0.51, 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.30, P < .001, I2 = 77%), and depression (SMD: -0.61, 95% CI: -1.02 to -0.20, P = .004, I2 = 94%) in patients with cancer. According to recent research, MBSR may be beneficial to patients diagnosed with cancer who are feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed.