Speca, M., Carlson, L.E., Goodey, E., & Angen, M. (2000). A randomized, wait-list controlled clinical trial: The effect of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62, 613–622.

The mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention was based on the main principle that purposeful management of awareness can be used repeatedly in the ongoing process of adapting to illness once experiential knowledge of key processes in the stress-response cycle is mastered. Objectives of program were to

1. Provide an opportunity to develop an understanding of one’s personal responses to stress and a means to modify them
2. Allow group member to take an active role in their healing process
3. Teach options for self-care that promote feelings of competence and mastery
4. Enhance feelings of well-being
5. Provide a safe and supportive group environment.

The intervention consisted of seven 90-minute weekly sessions. Patient outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at week 7 (end of intervention).

• N = 90 
• MEAN AGE = 51 years
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with cancer with multiple diagnoses and stages, with breast cancer being the most common (38%)
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Well educated with a mean of 15 years of formal education, convenience sample

• Randomized wait-list control design
  • MBSR (N = 53)
  • Wait-list control (N = 37)

• Profile of Mood States (POMS)

The MBSR intervention did not have a significant effect on improving fatigue outcomes for patients. When comparing pre- and post-test intervention scores, both the control and intervention groups experienced a decline in fatigue scores from baseline to week 7; however, this difference did not reach significance for either group.

In the initial sample of 109 patients enrolled in the study, 19 dropped out. A dropout analysis was performed, and initial POMS scores of dropouts were found to have significantly more mood disturbance on the subscales of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and total mood disturbance (p < 0.05).

• Because MBSR was a multi-component intervention, it is difficult to isolate the mechanisms of action or specific techniques they contributed to the improvements observed.
• It is possible that those assigned to the waitlist control group felt disappointment and may not have improved as much spontaneously over time as they would have otherwise.
• Because the dropout group demonstrated higher mood disturbance, the MBSR program may not be sufficient to treat patients with more serious disturbances.