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Internet‐delivered mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for anxiety and depression in cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Nissen Eva Rames,
O'Connor Maja,
Kaldo Viktor,
Højris Inger,
Borre Michael,
Zachariae Robert,
Mehlsen Mimi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5237
Subject(s) - anxiety , depression (economics) , randomized controlled trial , medicine , psychological intervention , mindfulness , breast cancer , distress , intervention (counseling) , cancer , cognitive behavioral therapy , cognitive therapy , clinical psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Internet‐delivered interventions may alleviate distress in cancer survivors with limited access to psychological face‐to‐face treatment. In collaboration with a group of cancer survivors, we developed and tested the efficacy of a therapist‐assisted internet‐delivered mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (iMBCT) program for anxiety and depression in cancer survivors. Methods A total of 1282 cancer survivors were screened for anxiety and depression during their routine oncology follow‐up; eligible breast (n = 137) and prostate cancer (n = 13) survivors were randomized to iMBCT or care‐as‐usual (CAU) wait‐list. Primary outcomes of anxiety and depression were assessed at baseline, 5 weeks, 10 weeks (post intervention), and 6 months. Results Significant effects were found for both anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.45; P = .017) and depressive symptoms ( d = 0.42; P = .024) post intervention. The effects were maintained at follow‐up for anxiety ( d = 0.40; P = .029), but not for depressive symptoms ( d = 0.28; P = .131). Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest iMBCT to be a helpful intervention for cancer survivors suffering from symptoms of anxiety. Further studies on the efficacy for symptoms of depression are needed.