A randomized pilot study of mindfulness-based stress reduction in a young adult cancer sample: Feasibility, acceptability, and changes in patient reported outcomes

David Victorson*, Karly Murphy, Catherine Benedict, Bruriah Horowitz, Carly Maletich, Evelyn Cordero, John M. Salsman, Kristin Smith, Stacy Sanford

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)841-850
Number of pages10
JournalPsycho-oncology
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2020

Funding

American Cancer Society - Illinois Division; National Cancer Institute-Funded T32 Behavioral and Psychosocial Research Postdoctoral Training Grant in Cancer Prevention and Control; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Keywords

  • feasibility
  • mindfulness
  • oncology
  • randomized controlled trail
  • young adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Oncology

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