Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Spanish Oncology Patients: The Bartley Protocol

The aim of this study is to analyse whether MBCT will reduce the general level of psychopathology, increase the quality of life, and increase meta-knowledge about their emotional state in Spanish participants with cancer.

The sample consisted of n = 88 Spanish oncology patients. This was a non-randomized, two-group (experimental vs waiting list) trial conducted in a naturalistic setting. We evaluated psychological distress (BSI-18), quality of life (FACT-G), and meta-knowledge of emotions (TMMS-24).

The participants who received the MBCT treatment improved more than the control group in distress (F= 6.79; p = .01, BSI-18), depression (F= 8.38; p = .005 ), quality of life -physical health (F = 5.56; p = .02), emotional state (F = 7.06; p= .01), and functional capacity (F = 7.98; p = .006), as well as meta-knowledge about their emotional state (F = 35.4; p = .01), and its subscales of perception, (F = 8.95; p = .004), comprehension, (F= 16.06; p = .01), and repair (F = 15.67; p = .01).

The Bartley MBCT program was feasible and showed promise in improving general psychopathology (depression), improving patients' quality of life, and increasing meta-knowledge about their emotional state.