The Mindfulness Pilot Project: The Effects of a Body Scan Activity on Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

Abstract

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Patients with hematological malignancies, particularly those with acute diagnoses requiring immediate treatment and hospitalization, often experience high levels of distress. Mindfulness has been shown to alleviate symptoms of distress in cancer patients, but there is limited research on the effects of mindfulness on distress in this inpatient population. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the effects of a mindfulness intervention on symptoms of distress during inpatient hospitalizations for patients with hematological malignancies (HM). Methods, Intervention, & Analysis A convenience sample of 30 patients with HM admitted to an oncology floor in a large, Midwestern hospital participated in this study. Participants completed the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL): 30 physiological and psychological symptoms of distress, rating how much the symptoms bothered them during the past week on a Likert-type scale. Patients completed a 20-minute mindfulness activity including breathwork and the Body Scan in their rooms. Participants were given a summary sheet and practice log. The RSCL was again completed at two weeks. Patients were asked open-ended questions regarding their experience. Findings & Interpretation A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test revealed a statistically significant reduction in physiological and psychological distress at the two-week follow-up, z=4.12, p Discussion & Implications Patients expressed the desire for their care to include mindfulness interventions. This intervention is low-risk and low-cost and might be extended to include recorded mindfulness exercises or informal classes. Future studies might explore the use of different media such as audio recordings or phone apps for inpatient self-practice. After initial education of the Body Scan, nurses might encourage patients to utilize it while waiting for as-needed medications to be administered, before or during inpatient procedures, or in conjunction with medication to alleviate side effects of treatment. Doing so could empower patients during the course of their hospitalization, improving the patient experience.