Why to Meditate

Citation – Database: PsycARTICLES [ Journal Article ]

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for individuals whose lives have been affected by cancer:
A randomized controlled trial.

Foley, Elizabeth; Baillie, Andrew; Huxter, Malcolm; Price, Melanie; Sinclair, Emma
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 78 (1), Feb 2010, 72-79. doi: 10.1037/a0017566

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for individuals with a diagnosis of cancer.

Method: Participants ( N = 115) diagnosed with cancer, across site and stage, were randomly allocated to either the treatment or the wait-list condition. Treatment was conducted at 1 site, by a single therapist, and involved participation in 8 weekly 2-hr sessions that focused on mindfulness.

Participants meditated for up to 1 hr daily and attended an additional full-day session during the course. Participants were assessed before treatment and 10 weeks later; this second assessment occurred immediately after completion of the program for the treatment condition. The treatment condition was also assessed at 3 months postintervention. All postinitial assessments were completed by assessors who were blind to treatment allocation.

Results: There were large and significant improvements:
in mindfulness (effect size [ES] = 0.55),
depression (ES = 0.83), anxiety (ES = 0.59),
and distress (ES = 0.53) as well as a trend for quality of life (ES = 0.30)
for MBCT participants as compared to those who had not received the training.

The wait-list group was assessed before and after receiving the intervention and demonstrated similar change.

Conclusions: These improvements represent clinically meaningful change and provide evidence for the provision of MBCT within oncology settings.

(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

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