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Benefits of a mindfulness and compassion program for cancer patients: experience in a Spanish public hospital setting.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico
April 17, 2025
Marcial Arredondo et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness and compassion program (MCP-C) for improving psychological well-being in cancer patients and their relatives.

Results Summary

The program significantly reduced mean scores on the GHQ-12 and HADS subscales (p < 0.01), with qualitative feedback highlighting benefits like improved health-related decision-making, emotional support, and daily life enhancements.

Population

Adult cancer patients and their relatives.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
decrease
mean scores on the GHQ-12
adult cancer patients and their relatives
p < 0.01
significant reductions
#1
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
decrease
mean scores on the HADS-A subscale
adult cancer patients and their relatives
p < 0.01
significant reductions
#2
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
decrease
mean scores on the HADS-D subscale
adult cancer patients and their relatives
p < 0.01
significant reductions
#3
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
increase
health-related decision-making
participants
-
increased awareness
#4
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
increase
relationship with the disease
participants
-
improved relationship
#5
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
increase
-
participants
-
a sense of companionship
#6
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
increase
-
participants
-
emotional support
#7
mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C)
increase
daily life
participants
-
overall enhancements
#8
8-week mindfulness and self-compassion program
increase
psychological well-being
cancer patients and their relatives
-
significant improvements
#9
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and are widely recommended. METHODS: This was a non-randomized, single-center study designed to assess the feasibility and benefits of a mindfulness and compassion program for individuals living with cancer (MCP-C). The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of the program, while the secondary objective was to assess its effectiveness in adult cancer patients and their relatives. Before and after completing the program, participants completed the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ- 12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A qualitative study was also conducted using focus groups and a structured qualitative survey. RESULTS: A total of eight courses were delivered, six in person in 2019 and two online in 2020. A total of 153 participants were enrolled, of whom 142 were considered evaluable. Among them, 90 (64.3%) completed the program, including 75 patients (83.3%) and 15 relatives. The intervention was associated with significant reductions (p < 0.01) in mean scores on the GHQ- 12 and the HADS-A and HADS-D subscales. In the qualitative assessment, participants reported multiple benefits, including increased awareness of health-related decision-making, improved relationship with the disease, a sense of companionship, emotional support, and overall enhancements in daily life. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an 8-week mindfulness and self-compassion program within the routine practice of a public hospital was feasible and led to significant improvements in the psychological well-being of cancer patients and their relatives.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality70/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.40
Normalized Score0.68
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