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Individualised mindfulness‐based stress reduction for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy of curative intent: a descriptive pilot study
Author(s) -
Pollard A.,
Burchell J.L.,
Castle D.,
Neilson K.,
Ftanou M.,
Corry J.,
Rischin D.,
Kissane D.W.,
Krishnasamy M.,
Carlson L.E.,
Couper J.
Publication year - 2017
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.12474
Subject(s) - medicine , mindfulness , psychosocial , quality of life (healthcare) , distress , intervention (counseling) , anxiety , physical therapy , mindfulness based stress reduction , head and neck cancer , randomized controlled trial , cancer , clinical psychology , psychiatry , surgery , nursing
People with head and neck cancer ( HNC ) experience elevated symptom toxicity and co‐morbidity as a result of treatment, which is associated with poorer psychosocial and quality‐of‐life (QoL) outcomes. This Phase I study examined whether an individualised mindfulness‐based stress reduction ( IMBSR ) programme could be successfully used with HNC patients undergoing curative treatment. Primary aims were to explore feasibility, compliance, acceptability and fidelity. Secondary aims were to determine whether (1) participation in the intervention was associated with changes in post‐intervention mindfulness and (2) post‐intervention mindfulness was associated with post‐intervention distress and QoL. Nineteen HNC patients participated in a seven‐session IMBSR programme with pre‐ and post‐test outcome measures of psychological distress, depression, anxiety and QoL. Primary aims were assessed by therapists or participants. Mindfulness, distress and QoL were assessed using self‐report questionnaires at pre‐ and post‐intervention. Longer time spent meditating daily was associated with higher post‐intervention mindfulness. After controlling for pre‐intervention mindfulness, there was an association between higher post‐intervention mindfulness and lower psychological distress and higher total, social and emotional QoL. This study offers important preliminary evidence than an IMBSR intervention can be administered to HNC patients during active cancer treatment. A randomised controlled trial is warranted to confirm these findings.