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Audio recordings of mindfulness-based stress reduction training to improve cancer patients’ mood and quality of life—a pilot feasibility study

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Abstract

Purpose

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), typically taught in eight weekly classes, helps patients cope with illness, including cancer. Current research is almost exclusively based on post-treatment class attendance. Research suggests that short courses and alternative delivery techniques may also be beneficial. This pilot study assessed whether it would be feasible for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy to listen to MBSR audio recordings individually during treatment and at home and evaluate whether the intervention shows preliminary evidence of efficacy to improve patients’ mood and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

Patients were recruited from two oncology clinics. Inclusion criteria included a score ≥8 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were asked to listen to study CDs containing MBSR instructions at least 5 days/week for 3 months and to maintain study diaries of their meditation practices.

Results

Twenty-three patients enrolled in the study, and 20 (87%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 66% to 97%) completed the study protocol. Analysis showed that participants listened to study CDs an average of 39 times during the study; mean HADS scores declined from 18.3 to 12.2 (change = −6.1 points; 95% CI, −2.9 to −9.4). Participants reported subjectively that participation improved their mood and QoL.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of investigating an individual audio MBSR intervention for patients with cancer and provides preliminary evidence that MBSR may benefit chemotherapy patients’ mood and QoL. Fully powered comparative clinical trials to asses this MBSR modality to help improve mood and QoL for patients receiving chemotherapy are feasible and needed.

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Acknowledgement of funding

This research was funded by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Funds.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors had full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review our data if requested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA

    Andrea Altschuler & Andrew L. Avins

  2. 3 Rollingwood Drive, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA

    Elana Rosenbaum

  3. The Permanente Medical Group, 280 West MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, CA, 94611, USA

    Peter Gordon

  4. The Permanente Medical Group, 1150 Veterans Boulevard, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA

    Sandra Canales

Authors
  1. Andrea Altschuler
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  2. Elana Rosenbaum
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  3. Peter Gordon
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Correspondence to Andrea Altschuler.

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Altschuler, A., Rosenbaum, E., Gordon, P. et al. Audio recordings of mindfulness-based stress reduction training to improve cancer patients’ mood and quality of life—a pilot feasibility study. Support Care Cancer 20, 1291–1297 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1216-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1216-7

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