Stress-reducing effects of a brief mindfulness intervention in palliative care: Results from a randomised, crossover study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the stress-reducing effects of a brief, standardized mindfulness intervention for use in palliative care, particularly in patients with advanced cancer or terminal illnesses.
Results Summary
The study found significantly stronger reductions in self-rated stress and mean heart rate, along with increased heart rate variability after the mindfulness intervention. Psychophysiological effects were strongest immediately post-intervention, while subjective stress reduction persisted for 20-40 minutes, though no significant differences were found for self-rated well-being.
Population
Patients with advanced cancer or other terminal illnesses in palliative care.
Effective Dosage
Single mindfulness intervention (specific duration not detailed in abstract).
Duration
Immediate effects measured pre- to post-intervention, with follow-up at 20-40 minutes.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a brief, standardised mindfulness intervention | decrease | self-rated stress | patients in very advanced stages of a disease | - | significantly stronger reductions | #1 |
a brief, standardised mindfulness intervention | decrease | mean heart rate | patients in very advanced stages of a disease | - | significantly stronger reductions | #2 |
a brief, standardised mindfulness intervention | increase | heart rate variability | patients in very advanced stages of a disease | - | an increase | #3 |
a brief, standardised mindfulness intervention | no change | self-rated well-being | patients in very advanced stages of a disease | no significant change | No significant differences were found | #4 |
OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions are a widely used and highly accepted adjunct treatment in oncology. Due to a paucity of research in advanced cancer and other terminal illnesses, we aimed to evaluate the stress-reducing effects of a brief, standardised mindfulness intervention for use in palliative care. METHODS: This study was a randomised, crossover trial where patients participated in both a single mindfulness intervention and a resting state control condition. The order of the conditions was randomised. Study outcomes encompassed self-report data on stress and well-being and measures of heart rate variability. All outcome data were measured at four times per day. RESULTS: Forty-two patients participated in this study. We found significantly stronger reductions in self-rated stress and mean heart rate as well as an increase in heart rate variability after the mindfulness intervention. Psychophysiological effects were strongest in the immediate pre- to post-intervention comparison, while the effect on subjective stress persisted after 20 to 40 min. No significant differences were found for self-rated well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the rather small magnitude of effects, the brief mindfulness intervention showed to be effective and accepted by patients in very advanced stages of a disease and could be offered by trained healthcare professionals in palliative care.