title: Mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy for women with breast and gynecologic cancer: a pilot study to determine effectiveness and feasibility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Group-based mindfulness training is frequently described in psycho-oncology literature, but little is known of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). We investigated the effectiveness and acceptability of MBCT for women with breast and gynecologic cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty women were recruited to participate in eight weekly 2-h mindfulness sessions. Outcomes of distress, quality of life (QOL), post-traumatic growth, and mindfulness were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and again 3 months later using validated measures. Data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVAs with a Bonferroni correction. Participant satisfaction and evaluation were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two women completed the program, and complete data were available for 36 women. Significant improvements with large effect sizes (ηρ(2)) were observed for distress (P < 0.001; ηρ(2) = 0.238), QOL (P = 0.001; ηρ(2) = 0.204), mindfulness (P < 0.001; ηρ(2) = 0.363) and post-traumatic growth (P < 0.001; ηρ(2) = 0.243). Gains were maintained 3 months post-intervention. Improvements in outcomes did not differ based on diagnostic group, psychological status, or physical well-being at entry. Change indices further support these findings. Scores on measures of distress, QOL, and post-traumatic growth decreased as a function of increased mindfulness at each time point (all P < 0.05). Participants reported experiencing the program as beneficial, particularly its group-based nature, and provided positive feedback of the therapy as a whole as well as its individual components.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of a non-randomized trial, these findings provide preliminary support for the potential psychosocial benefits of MBCT in a heterogeneous group of women with cancer. Future, more comprehensive trials are needed to provide systematic evidence of this therapy in oncology settings.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Locked Bag 300, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia, Lesley.stafford@thewomens.org.au.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Judd
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Litza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kiropoulos
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Couper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome