Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) program among Hungarian cancer patients

Abstract

Employment of mindfulness-based programs and techniques in the treatment of cancer patients have spread exponentially in the past decade. A large number of studies have proved the effectiveness of the program in the reduction of stress symptoms, depression and anxiety, and the improvement of sleep and mood patterns. The present study was done at Firebird Foundation and examines the effectiveness of the complex, MBCR (mindfulness-based cancer recovery)-based psycho-social intervention in the treatment of cancer patients. The experimental group consisted of 101 people with various types and states of cancer. The control group consisted of 72 adjusted people. We did measurements (PPS, HADS, FACT-G, POMS-SF, Freiburg Adaptation Questionnaire) before the intervention (T1), right after the 8-week intervention (T2), and 6 months after the intervention (T3). The experimental group showed significant improvement in the measured psychological variables, and in few aspects of life quality between T1 and T2. There was a decrease in levels of observed stress and depression, and an escalation in optimism and vitality. We found a decrease in depressive and minimizing coping scores as well. There was a significant improvement in two dimensions of quality of life, and all these positive changes remained present by the end of the follow-up period (T3). In the control group, we only found a significant increase in minimizing coping scores at the time of T3 measurements. This is the first impact assessment study done on cancer patients using MBCR techniques in Hungary. The MBCR program is a very effective psychosocial intervention among cancer patients; it has a long term significant impact on mood and quality of life. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(33): 1293-1301.