Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Can Relieve Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression in Individuals with Cancer
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been suggested as an effective approach for relieving stress in patients with chronic diseases including cancer. These authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether MBSR has an impact on loneliness, anxiety, and depression in individuals with cancer. The meta-analysis included 16 studies with 2072 participants. Among the 16 studies, 13 included individuals with breast cancer, and the follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 53 weeks. Compared to controls receiving standard cancer care, interventions of MBSR with sessions for 6 to 8 weeks significantly improved loneliness (small effect size of -0.35), anxiety (medium effect size of -0.51) and depression (medium effect size of -0.61) among those with cancer. The authors concluded that, based on current research, MBSR may be beneficial for individuals diagnosed with cancer who are feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed.
Yu JMN, Han MMN, Miao FBN, Hua DBN. Medicine. Volume 102(37), 15 September 2023, e34917
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