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M indfulness‐based C ancer S tress M anagement: impact of a mindfulness‐based programme on psychological distress and quality of life
Author(s) -
Fish J.A.,
Ettridge K.,
Sharplin G.R.,
Hancock B.,
Knott V.E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12136
Subject(s) - mindfulness , medicine , psychological intervention , distress , quality of life (healthcare) , clinical psychology , hospital anxiety and depression scale , intervention (counseling) , anxiety , cancer , psychiatry , nursing
Within the area of cancer care, mindfulness‐based therapeutic interventions have been found to be efficacious in reducing psychological distress related to a cancer diagnosis; however, the impact of mindfulness‐based interventions on quality of life is unclear. This study explores the impact of a M indfulness‐ B ased C ancer S tress M anagement programme on psychological distress and quality of life. Research methodology included a single‐group quasi‐experimental study of 26 participants experiencing distress related to a cancer diagnosis, including carers, who completed an MBCSM programme and all assessments. Participants completed the F unctional A ssessment of C ancer T herapy – G eneral version 4 ( FACT ‐ G ) and its associated spirituality index ( FACIT ‐ S p‐ E x), H ospital A nxiety and D epression S cale ( HADS ), F reiburg M indfulness I nventory ( FMI ), and the D istress T hermometer at baseline, post‐intervention, and three months after programme completion. Significant improvements were observed on all measures (ranges: P ≤ 0.001 to 0.008, r = −0.53 to −0.79) following the intervention, which were maintained at 3‐month follow‐up. Mindfulness was significantly correlated with all main outcome measures at post‐intervention (range: r = −0.41 to 0.67) and 3‐month follow‐up (range: r = −0.49 to 0.73), providing evidence for the internal validity of the study. Our findings indicate that the MBCSM programme is effective in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life, including spiritual well‐being.