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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Oncology

Rationale and Review

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Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine

Abstract

The use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programmes has become increasingly common in many healthcare settings over the last decade. However, the use and indications for MBSR in an oncology setting has not been well explicated. This paper provides an overview of the psychosocial challenges of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, followed by a description of how MBSR programmes have and may be used with cancer populations, using our programme in Calgary, Canada, as an exemplar.

Research investigating the use of MBSR shows significant improvements in mood, decreased stress symptoms, and normalisation of hormonal and immune function. MBSR has also been shown to be effective for decreasing the high levels of sleep disturbance often found in cancer patients. An instrument to measure levels of mindfulness, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), has been developed and validated for use with cancer patients. Issues germane to working with this population such as considerations during patient screening for the MBSR programme and facilitatory training are discussed. Finally, the use of research designs such as dismantling studies and qualitative methods are considered.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Linda Carlson is funded by a New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Mr Michael Mackenzie was supported through Dr Carlson’s Research Allowance, also from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, ACB Holy Cross Site, 2202 2nd St SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2S 3C1

    Michael J. Mackenzie,  Linda E. Carlson & Michael Speca

  2. Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Linda E. Carlson & Michael Speca

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  1. Michael J. Mackenzie
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  2. Linda E. Carlson
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  3. Michael Speca
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Correspondence to Linda E. Carlson.

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Mackenzie, M.J., Carlson, L.E. & Speca, M. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Oncology. Evid-Based-Integrative-Med 2, 139–145 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/01197065-200502030-00005

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