For patients undergoing cancer surgery, anxiety is common during the perioperative period. This scoping review of six studies found that guided, mindfulness, and loving-kindness meditation may help reduce anxiety, especially in breast cancer patients after surgery. However, the evidence is very limited, and more research is needed on broader populations and optimal timing of meditation interventions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with cancer experienced heightened anxiety. A brief, five-minute guided meditation, self-administered via personal mobile devices while waiting after a vaccination, significantly reduced acute anxiety more than usual care. Among 256 adult patients, 14% reported moderate to severe anxiety. The intervention is feasible for outpatient oncology settings and can be implemented by nurses to support emotional well-being.