A Pragmatic Evaluation of Symptom Distress After Group Meditation for Cancer Patients and Caregivers: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

ContextComplementary health approaches such as meditation may help improve cancer patient and caregiver symptoms, yet little research has examined the clinical application of these programs. ObjectivesWe explored the effects of a meditation group class, offered as part of an integrative medicine clinic at a comprehensive cancer center, on patient and caregiver self-reported symptoms. MethodsParticipants (patients and caregivers) of any three meditation group classes offered—Power of Breath (PB), Sacred Sounds (SS), and Movement & Breath (MB)—were asked to complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; scale 0–10, 10 most severe) before and after participation. ESAS individual items and subscales were analyzed; distress subscales included global (global distress score 0–90), physical (physical distress score 0–60), and psychological (psychological distress score, 0–20). Data were analyzed examining premeditation/postmeditation scores using paired t-tests and between types of meditation using analyses of variance. ResultsOne hundred forty-two unique participants (76 patients and 66 caregivers) attended one or more meditation groups (mean 1.84) from May to December 2015 (265 total attendance: PB n = 92; SS n = 87; MB n = 86). For all participants, we observed clinically significant reduction/improvement in global distress scores (−5.17, SD 8; P < 0.0001) and in individual symptoms (ESAS decrease ≥ 1; means) of well-being (−1.36 SD 1.7; P < 0.0001), fatigue (−1.34 SD 1.9; P < 0.0001), anxiety (−1.26 SD 1.6; P < 0.001), and shortness of breath (−1.2 SD 2; P = 0.001). Comparing class length (60 vs. 90 minutes), class content (PB vs. SS vs. MB), and participants (caregivers vs. patients), there were no statistically significant differences in symptom score reduction. ConclusionA single meditation group class offered as part of clinical care resulted in relief of multiple self-reported symptoms in both patients and caregivers.