Mindfulness Decreases Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients

June 25th, 2012


Delicious
Stumbleupon
    

Individuals who receive a diagnosis of cancer face emotional and physical challenges. They must decide which type of treatment to pursue and must accept the risks associated with those. Physical health becomes compromised as a result of cancer and the accompanying treatments and this impairment can affect mobility, appearance and psychological well-being. People who are facing cancer treatments, or who have survived cancer are at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes. Depression and anxiety are among the most common psychological consequences among cancer survivors and patients. Not knowing what the future holds and worrying about relapses can create fear and worry. Regrets about past choices and negative feelings associated with a former way of life can lead to depression in these individuals. Although it is well known that individuals who battle cancer may also have to overcome mental health problems, the best way to accomplish that is still widely debated.

Mindfulness-based therapies (MBT) have been used to address many negative psychological issues, including anxiety and depression. For individuals who have to deal with additional symptoms such as pain, MBT may be a useful tool. Jacob Piet of the Department of Psychology at Aarhus University in Denmark recently conducted a study to see if MBT would be beneficial at reducing not only the physical symptoms associated with cancer, but also the psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety. For his study, Piet analyzed data from 22 separate studies that assessed the mental and physical health of over 1,400 individuals with cancer. The participants were evaluated for symptom severity and remission, as well as overall quality of life.

The results revealed that the participants who received MBT had steeper reductions in depressive and anxious symptoms than those who received usual care. Additionally, these same individuals also realized less rumination and worry associated with depression and anxiety. Piet did find a difference between the results achieved in the randomized controlled studies (RCTs) and the nonrandomized studies, but regardless, the trend indicated that MBT was indeed a viable and effective option for treating both physical and psychological symptoms that arise from cancer diagnosis and treatment. Piet added, “Compared to other effective forms of psychological treatment, MBT may represent a more general approach to dealing with psychological distress by teaching participants to relate more skillfully to their experience.”

Reference:
Piet, J., Würtzen, H., Zachariae, R. (2012). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on symptoms of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0028329

 


Delicious
Stumbleupon
    

© Copyright 2012 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Dallas Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

Print This Post Print This Post

  • Find the Right Therapist

  • Join GoodTherapy.org - Therapist Only

Open bundled references in tabs:

Leave a Reply