A Randomized Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in a Young Adult Cancer Sample: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Changes in Patient Reported Outcomes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of participation in a randomized waitlist-controlled intervention of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in a young adult cancer sample. A secondary aim was to examine patterns of change in patient reported outcomes (PROs) of physical, social and emotional functioning.METHODS: Participants were enrolled at a large Midwestern comprehensive cancer center and randomized to MBSR or a waitlist control. Feasibility and acceptability were examined through enrollment metrics and a survey. PROs were gathered at baseline, 8-weeks, and 16-weeks. Descriptive statistics and mixed models were used in analyses.RESULTS: Of 597 eligible participants, 151 (26.5%) consented from which 126 (83.4%) completed baseline measures. Sixty-seven participants were randomized to MBSR, and 59 to the waitlist. Immediately following MBSR, the majority of respondents (72-78%) reported their experience with mindfulness was very logical and useful to increasing their wellbeing. Compared to waitlist members, MBSR participant's scores on PROs improved in expected directions.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that recruitment for an intensive, in-person, multi-week supportive intervention can be challenging with young adults with cancer, similar to other cancer survivor populations; however once enrolled, feasibility and acceptability of MBSR was supported. Further, initial evidence on the role of MBSR on short-term changes in select PROs with this population was also demonstrated. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View details for DOI 10.1002/pon.5355

View details for PubMedID 32040222