The Role of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in Improving Quality of Life for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Kieran Dash^*
*Correspondence: Kieran Dash, Department of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, Email:

Keywords

Mindfulness-based stress reduction • Quality of life • Cancer patients • Systematic review • Complementary therapies

Introduction

Cancer and its treatments can severely impact patients' Quality of Life (QoL), leading to psychological distress, physical symptoms and impaired functional well-being. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured program that combines mindfulness meditation and yoga to help individuals manage stress and improve overall well-being. Given the potential of MBSR to alleviate stress and enhance QoL, this systematic review aims to evaluate its effectiveness in improving QoL for cancer patients. By synthesizing evidence from existing studies, this review seeks to provide insights into the benefits and limitations of MBSR as a complementary therapy in oncology care.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has shown a moderate positive impact on improving the quality of life (QoL) for cancer patients, as evidenced by the systematic review. MBSR, which combines mindfulness meditation and yoga, appears to offer significant benefits in managing the psychological and emotional stress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment [1].

The review highlights that MBSR is particularly effective for patients with breast cancer and those in the early stages of treatment. This may be due to the relatively lower disease burden and greater potential for psychosocial intervention during these stages. MBSR helps patients manage stress, reduce anxiety and enhance overall well-being, contributing to improved QoL.

However, variability in the effectiveness of MBSR across different studies suggests the need for standardized protocols and more rigorous research. Differences in intervention duration, frequency and delivery methods can impact outcomes, making it crucial to establish best practices for implementing MBSR in cancer care.

Overall, integrating MBSR into oncology care could provide a valuable complementary approach to conventional treatments, improving QoL for cancer patients. Future research should focus on refining MBSR practices and exploring its long-term effects to optimize its role in comprehensive cancer care [2].

Literature Review

Search Strategy: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO databases for studies published up to July 2024. The search terms included "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction," "quality of life," "cancer patients," and "randomized controlled trial." Reference lists of relevant articles were also reviewed for additional studies.

Inclusion Criteria: Studies were included if they were RCTs or quasiexperimental studies evaluating MBSR interventions in adult cancer patients, with QoL as a primary or secondary outcome measure. Studies had to report on at least one validated QoL instrument and provide sufficient data for effect size calculation [3].

Data Extraction: Data were extracted on study design, participant characteristics, MBSR intervention details, QoL outcomes and methodological quality. QoL outcomes were measured using validated instruments such as the SF-36, WHOQOL, or EORTC QLQ-C30.

Statistical Analysis: A meta-analysis was performed using a randomeffects model to calculate the overall effect size of MBSR on QoL. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on cancer type, stage of treatment and duration of MBSR intervention [4].

Twenty studies involving 1,200 participants met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed a moderate effect size for MBSR in improving QoL (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI [0.35, 0.55]). Subgroup analyses indicated that MBSR was particularly effective for breast cancer patients (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI [0.38, 0.62]) and those undergoing early stages of treatment (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI [0.36, 0.60]). Variability in study quality and intervention protocols was observed, with some studies reporting higher risk of bias [5,6].

Discussion

The findings suggest that MBSR has a moderate positive impact on QoL for cancer patients, aligning with previous research indicating its potential benefits in reducing stress and improving overall well-being. The effectiveness of MBSR appears to be enhanced for patients with breast cancer and those in the early stages of treatment, possibly due to the less advanced disease burden and greater potential for psychological and emotional support.

Despite these promising results, the variability in intervention protocols and outcome measures underscores the need for standardization in future studies. The quality of evidence was mixed, with some studies exhibiting higher risks of bias. Future research should focus on refining MBSR protocols, exploring optimal delivery methods and evaluating long-term effects to better understand its role in comprehensive cancer care.

Conclusion

MBSR demonstrates a moderate improvement in QoL for cancer patients, offering a valuable complementary approach to conventional cancer treatments. The integration of MBSR into oncology care could enhance patient well-being, particularly for those with specific cancer types and at certain stages of treatment. Continued research is essential to further validate these findings and optimize the application of MBSR in cancer care.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest by author.

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