Mindfulness-based stress reduction training for oncology patients: patients' appraisal and changes in well-being.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores satisfaction and changes in well-being in cancer patients following mindfulness-based stress reduction training.


METHODS
Data were collected in 47 cancer patients before and after the training, and also 1 year later. Standardized questionnaires were used to measure quality of life, joy in life, mood disturbances (depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and tension), meaning in life and physical symptoms.


RESULTS
Participants were highly satisfied and said they had reached their goals with the training. The results show that directly after the training patients reported a better quality of life, more joy in life, less tension, and fewer physical symptoms. These effects appeared even stronger at follow-up. A year after the training a decrease was also found in depression, anger, vigor and total mood disturbance. No changes could be established for meaning in life and fatigue. Effect sizes varied between 0.28 and 0.60, indicating small-to-moderate changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Mindfulness training potentially supports cancer patients in handling the stress due to their life-threatening disease and increases their well-being. Several suggestions for further research are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Mindfulness training provides cancer patients with tools to deal with their limitations and worries, both during and after their treatment.
Kieviet-Stijnen
Arenda
A
Helen Dowling Institute, Center for Psycho-oncology, P.O. Box 85061, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. akieviet@hdi.nl
Visser
Adriaan
A
Garssen
Bert
B
Hudig
Welmet
W
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006040:Goals; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life