A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness in Recovery from Colorectal Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychology
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients often experience psychological distress.
• Mindfulness interventions are explored for managing distress in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare a 4-week group mindfulness intervention against an active control (psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural skills) for reducing psychological distress in CRC patients.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 68 CRC patients allocated to mindfulness or active control groups.
• Interventions involved 2-h weekly sessions over 4 weeks.
• Outcomes measured at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months, including psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and quality of life (QoL).

Main Results:

• Both groups showed reduced depression scores at 8 weeks.
• The active control group demonstrated greater improvement in generic mental QoL at 8 weeks.
• Mindfulness group reported reduced impotence symptoms, while the control group reported reduced faecal incontinence. Embarrassment symptoms increased less in the mindfulness group.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness was not superior to the active control in reducing overall psychological distress.
• Both interventions led to some improvements in depression.
• Low patient uptake and high dropout rates were observed for both interventions.