Ramachandra, P., Booth, S., Pieters, T., Vrotsou, K., & Huppert, F.A. (2009). A brief self-administered psychological intervention to improve well-being in patients with cancer: Results from a feasibility study. Psycho-Oncology, 18, 1323–1326.
Authors recruited for the study were patients with stable metastatic breast cancer or prostate cancer who had at least a six-month life expectancy. Patients were randomized into an immediate treatment group and a wait-list control. All participants had follow-up at 6, 12, and 18 weeks. The intervention consisted of keeping a well-being diary, using a CD with a 10-minute recording to complete a mindfulness body scan, and planning a pleasurable activity.
Active treatment and transition
Randomized controlled trial
Positive qualitative feedback reflected a statistically significant (p = 0.046) improvement in quality of life. Although HADS scores improved after the intervention, the change was not significant, and SOFAS scores did not change significantly. Adherence to the intervention was 67% for CD listening, 71% for writing in the diary, and 46% for activity planning.
The intervention was associated with some improvement in quality-of life-measures, but there was no effect on depression or anxiety.
Findings do not indicate that mindfulness-based intervention, as used in this study, had an impact on well-being.