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Research: CARLSON and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 71
Abstract
CARLSON and colleagues, Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Alberta Cancer Board, 1331 29 St. N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N2, lindacar@cancerboard.ab.ca, aimed to assess the effects of participation in a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction programme on mood disturbance and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients .
Background
Methodology
In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, eligible cancer patients completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Symptoms of Stress Inventory (SOSI) before and after intervention and at 6 months follow-up. The intervention consisted of a mindfulness meditation group lasting 1.5 hours each week for 7 weeks, plus daily home mediation practice . 89 patients (average age 51 years) provided pre-intervention data. 54 patients completed the 6-month follow-up. Participants were heterogeneous with regard to type and stage of cancer.
Results
POMS and SOSI total scores and most subscores decreased significantly from before to after intervention, indicating less mood disturbance and fewer symptoms of stress ; these improvements were maintained at the 6-month follow-up . Patients with more advanced stages of cancer tended to have less initial mood disturbance. More home practice and higher initial POMS scores predicted improvements on the POMS from pre- to post-intervention. Female gender and more education were associated with higher initial SOSI scores. Improvements on the SOSI were predicted by more education and greater initial mood disturbance.
Conclusion
The programme was effective in decreasing mood disturbance and stress symptoms for up to 6 months in both male and female patients of disparate ages with a wide variety of cancer diagnoses, stages of illness and educational backgrounds.
References
Carlson LE et al. The effects of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients: 6-month follow-up. Supportive Care in Cancer 9 (2): 112-23. Mar 2001.
