Mindfulness in Cancer Care

What is the evidence for the use of mindfulness-based interventions in cancer care?

A review published in the July issue of Psycho-Oncology takes a hard look at 13 research papers and four conference abstracts reporting the benefits of mindfulness-based intervention in cancer care. 

The studies individually report significant improvements in anxiety, depression, stress, sexual difficulties, physiological arousal and immune function or subjective benefits across all interventions.

The review concludes that mindfulness interventions may have a place in acute treatment and palliative care. It also states that mindfulness approaches are a promising intervention, possibly for all types of cancer.

For a more anecdotal look at mindfulness and cancer care, read Coping with Cancer, by Elana Rosenbaum.

08/08/11