Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the mental and physical health status of various cancer patients.


METHODS
Ten studies (randomized-controlled trials and observational studies) were found to be eligible for meta-analysis. Individual study results were categorized into mental and physical variables and Cohen's effect size d was computed for each category.


RESULTS
MBSR may indeed be helpful for the mental health of cancer patients (Cohen's effect size d=0.48); however, more research is needed to show convincing evidence of the effect on physical health (Cohen's effect size d=0.18).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that MBSR may improve cancer patients' psychosocial adjustment to their disease.
Ledesma
Dianne
D
Department of Stress Science and Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Kumano
Hiroaki
H
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*