title: Mindfulness-based cancer stress management: impact of a mindfulness-based programme on psychological distress and quality of life.
abstract: Within the area of cancer care, mindfulness-based therapeutic interventions have been found to be efficacious in reducing psychological distress related to a cancer diagnosis; however, the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life is unclear. This study explores the impact of a Mindfulness-Based Cancer Stress Management programme on psychological distress and quality of life. Research methodology included a single-group quasi-experimental study of 26 participants experiencing distress related to a cancer diagnosis, including carers, who completed an MBCSM programme and all assessments. Participants completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General version 4 (FACT-G) and its associated spirituality index (FACIT-Sp-Ex), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI), and the Distress Thermometer at baseline, post-intervention, and three months after programme completion. Significant improvements were observed on all measures (ranges: P ≤ 0.001 to 0.008, r = -0.53 to -0.79) following the intervention, which were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Mindfulness was significantly correlated with all main outcome measures at post-intervention (range: r = -0.41 to 0.67) and 3-month follow-up (range: r = -0.49 to 0.73), providing evidence for the internal validity of the study. Our findings indicate that the MBCSM programme is effective in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life, including spiritual well-being.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council SA, Eastwood, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ettridge
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sharplin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Knott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: anxiety; cancer; depression; mindfulness; oncology; quality of life