van den Hurk, D.G., Schellekens, M.P., Molema, J., Speckens, A.E., & van der Drift, M.A. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for lung cancer patients and their partners: Results of a mixed methods pilot study. Palliative Medicine, 29, 652–660.

To assess the feasibility of a ​mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention for patients with lung cancer and their partners, and to determine whether MBSR decreases distress in the same population

Participants received eight weekly sessions (two and a half hours each) of an MBSR course with an additional psychoeducational component of coping with grief taught by health professionals and qualified mindfulness trainers. Assessments were made at baseline, postintervention, and three months later.

• N = 19 patients and 16 partners  
• MEAN AGE: Patients 61.7 years (range = 54–77 years), partners 60 years (range = 30–76 years)
• MALES: 53% (patients); 64% (partners), FEMALES: 47% (patients); 56% (partners)
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with lung cancer and their partners
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Dutch; 79% advanced stage lung cancer

• SITE: Single site    
• SETTING TYPE: Not specified    
• LOCATION: Holland

• PHASE OF CARE: Mutliple phases of care
• APPLICATIONS: Palliative care 

Pre- and post-test, single-arm feasibility study

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
• European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-LC14)
• Impact of Events Scale (IES)
• Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
• Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS)
• The Self-Perceived Pressure Form Informal Care (SPPIC)
• The Care Derived Self Esteem of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA-SE)
• Semistructured interview

An MBSR intervention for patients with lung cancer and their partners was feasible. No statistically significant change in anxiety and depression or mindfulness and worry were observed in patients or partners. Caregiver burden decreased after the MBSR training post-treatment (p < 0.05), and at the three month follow-up (p < 0.01). Six patients and five partners were able to report on facilitators (participating with partner and in group) and barriers (physical function) to participating as well as themes of process of change (standing still, being aware, insight, letting go, and changing behavior and acceptance).

MBSR is feasible for patients with lung cancer and their partners.

• Small sample (< 30)
• Risk of bias (no control group)
• Findings not generalizable

MBSR may be an effective intervention for decreasing caregiver burden in the lung cancer population. Additional research is needed in larger randomized, controlled trials.