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Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for psycho-oncology patients: an exploratory study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2015

T. Kingston ,
S. Collier ,
D. Hevey ,
M. M. McCormick ,
C. Besani ,
J. Cooney  and
A. M. O’Dwyer
T. Kingston*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland
S. Collier
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland
D. Hevey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland Department of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
M. M. McCormick
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland
C. Besani
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland
J. Cooney
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland
A. M. O’Dwyer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St. Dublin 8, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr T. Kingston, Department of Psychological Medicine, St James’s Hospital, James St, Dublin 8, Ireland. (Email: takingston@stjames.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group-based intervention similar to mindfulness-based stress reduction, but which includes cognitive therapy techniques. This study investigates its usefulness in the treatment of depressive, anxiety and stress/distress symptoms in cancer patients referred to a psycho-oncology service. It also examines whether effect on depression is mediated by self-compassion.

Method

In phase 1 of this study, 16 cancer patients with mild/moderate psychological distress were randomised to MBCT (n=8) or treatment as usual (TAU; n=8), and assessed pre- and post-treatment. Analysis of variance was performed to examine the effect of treatment on anxiety and depression. In phase 2, the TAU group received the intervention, and results of pre- and post-MBCT assessments were combined with those receiving MBCT in phase 1. Finally, both groups were followed up at 3 months.

Results

In phase 1, the MBCT group had a significant improvement in mindfulness and a decrease in anxiety. Statistically significant improvements in both depression and anxiety were found at 3 month follow-up. Self-compassion appeared to mediate the effect on anxiety/depression.

Conclusion

This small pilot study suggests that MBCT may have a beneficial effect on psychological variables often adversely affected in cancer in a heterogeneous cancer population.

Keywords

Anxietycancerdepressionmindfulnessmindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 3 , September 2015 , pp. 265 - 274
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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