Kieviet-Stijnen, A., Visser, A., Garssen, B., & Hudig, W. (2008). Mindfulness-based stress reduction training for oncology patients: Patients’ appraisal and changes in well-being. Patient Education and Counseling, 72, 436–442.

DOI Link

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

The MBSR intervention emphasized the following.

  • Learning to meditate
  • Systematic monitoring of the body
  • Exploring one’s limits and trying to shift these limits
  • Recognizing and investigating thoughts and cognitions
  • Recognizing daily stress inducing conditions and their emotional impact
  • Learning more ways to handle daily stress

The intervention was offered in eight weekly sessions that were each 2.5 hours in length. Participants were encouraged to practice at home for 45 minutes using an exercise CD and other homework assignments. Each training group was guided by two therapists experienced in working with patients with cancer. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, at week 8, and a year after intervention.

The intervention was modeled after the MBSR program at the Stress Reduction and Relaxation Clinic, Massachusetts Medical Center as described by Kabat-Zinn (1990).

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 47
  • MEAN AGE = 48.4 years
  • AGE RANGE = 31–65 years
  • MALES: 72%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with cancer with multiple diagnoses, the most common being breast cancer (40%)
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Undergoing treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation treatment, surveillance, alternative/complementary) throughout the intervention period.

Setting

Not described

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: Active treatment

Study Design

  • Pre-post intervention study

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Profile of Mood States (POMS)

Results

The MBSR intervention did not significantly improve fatigue outcomes for patients at the eight-week intervention end-point or at one-year follow-up.

Limitations

  • Lack of a neutral comparison group
  • Observed changes in quality of life may be a consequence of the passage of time.
  • Participants were self-referred to program.
  • High dropout rate observed throughout the study (no significant differences in demographic characteristics, disease variables, and well-being scores observed between completers and non-completers)