The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Depression and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis Study.

A meta-analysis of 14 studies found that mindfulness-based stress reduction programs reduce depression and improve quality of life in cancer patients. The programs showed a small but statistically significant effect on depression and a moderate effect on quality of life. Factors such as type of cancer, duration of therapy, who provided the therapy, the scale used, and the study's origin influenced the effectiveness on quality of life. The findings suggest that mindfulness-based stress reduction can be a beneficial complementary approach in cancer care.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions have been receiving growing attention in cancer care. This study was performed to determine the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on depression and quality of life in cancer patients. The screenings in the study were performed in January to May 2023 through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and YÖK Thesis Center databases. After the reviews, 14 studies were included in the study. This meta-analysis showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction programs were effective on depression (SMD: -0.363; 95% CI: -0.711 to 0.015; Z = -2.042; P = .041; I2 = 85.229%) and quality of life (SMD: 0.363; 95 CI%: 0.111-0.615; Z = 2.822; P = .005; I2 = 75.222%). The type of cancer (SMD: 0.385; CI: between 0.005 and 0.528; P = .000); duration of therapy (SMD: 0.243; CI: between 0.093 and 0.393; P = .002); the person providing therapy (SMD: 0.335; CI: between 0.133 and 0.507; P = .001); scale used (SMD: 0.290; CI: between 0.148 and 0.432; P = .000); and the origin of the study (SMD: 0.298; CI: between 0.158 and 0.438; P = .000) moderators were found to play a role in the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the quality of life of cancer patients. The mindfulness-based stress reduction program yields positive outcomes by reducing depression, enhancing the quality of life in cancer patients, and promoting overall mental well-being in individuals.