title: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for lung cancer patients and their partners: Results of a mixed methods pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung cancer patients and partners show high rates of impaired quality of life and heightened distress levels. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction has proven to be effective in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients. However, studies barely included lung cancer patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction might be a feasible and effective intervention for patients with lung cancer and partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a training in which mindfulness practices are combined with psycho-education to help participants cope with distress. In this mixed methods pilot study, questionnaires on psychological distress and quality of life were administered before, directly after and 3 months after the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training, in combination with semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with lung cancer and partners were recruited at one tertiary care academic medical centre. A total of 19 lung cancer patients and 16 partners participated in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients were diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. Vast majority completed the training. Those receiving anti-cancer treatment did not miss more sessions than patients who were not currently treated. Patients and partners felt positive about participating in a peer group and with their partner. Among participants no significant changes were found in psychological distress. Caregiver burden in partners decreased significantly after following Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. The qualitative analysis showed that the training seemed to instigate a process of change in participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training seemed to be feasible for patients with lung cancer and their partners. A randomized controlled trial is needed to examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in reducing psychological distress in lung cancer patients and partners.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Desiree.vandenHurk@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: Desiree G M
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: van den Hurk
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Melanie P J
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Schellekens
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molema
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne E M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Speckens
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Miep A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van der Drift
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; lung cancer; mindfulness; partners; psychological distress