The role of mindfulness in distress and quality of life for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the extent to which mindfulness skills influence psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with metastatic or castration-resistant biochemical progression of prostate cancer.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional survey of 190 men (46 % response; mean age 71 years, SD = 8.7, range 40–91 years) with advanced prostate cancer, assessed psychological and cancer-specific distress, HRQOL. Mindfulness skills were assessed as potential predictors of adjustment outcomes.ResultsOverall, 39 % of men reported high psychological distress. One third had accessed psychological support previously although only 10 % were under current psychological care. One quarter had accessed a prostate cancer support group in the past six months.Higher HRQOL and lower cancer-specific and global psychological distress were related to non-judging of inner experience (p < 0.001).Higher HRQOL and lower psychological distress were related to acting with awareness (p < 0.001). Lower distress was also related to higher non-reactivity to inner experience and a lower level of observing (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMen with advanced prostate cancer are at risk of poor psychological outcomes. Psychological flexibility may be a promising target for interventions to improve adjustment outcomes in this patient group.Clinical Trial RegistryTrial Registration: ACTRN12612000306819