Lopez, G., Chaoul, A., Powers-James, C., Spelman, A., Wei, Q., Engle, R., . . . Cohen, L. (2018). A pragmatic evaluation of symptom distress after group meditation for cancer patients and caregivers: A preliminary report. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 55, 1321-1326.e1.
To evaluate the effects of mediation group classes on patient and caregiver self-reported symptoms
This was an observational pilot that studied participants (patients and their caregivers) attending any of the three mediation group classes offered at a comprehensive cancer center. Classes were based on Tibetan mind-body mediation tradition, and spanned either 60 or 90 minutes in length, depending on type of class—power breath, sacred sounds, or movement and breath. Instructors of each mediation class consisted of mind-body therapists with at least five years of oncology experience. Participants completed a pre- and post-class Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). Because participants could attend more than one meditation class, only data from the first visit of the 142 participants was examined. Data obtained from the ESAS was used to analyze symptoms individually and as subscales.
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
Observational pilot that analyzed self-reported symptom information from patients and caregivers attending medication classes offered at a comprehensive cancer center between May and December 2015
ESAS was completed by participants before and after classes. Symptoms of the ESAS were analyzed both globally (subscales) and individually. ESAS subscales were scored as follows:
Clinically significant reduction of an individual symptom was defined as > 1; for ESAS global distress score (GDS) > 3; for physical distress score (PHS) > 2; for psychological distress score (PSS) > 2. Higher scores represented worse outcomes for the stated symptom or subscale.
For all participants there was a clinically and statistically significant decrease (improvement) in symptom of shortness of breath (mean = -1.2; p = 0.001), global distress (-5.17, p < 0.0001), fatigue (-1.34, p < 0.0001), anxiety (-1.26, p < 0.001). For patients, there was clinically significant improvement in dyspnea (mean = -1.12; p = 0.013). No clinically significant symptom change was observed when comparing class duration (60- versus 90-minute class). There was no clinically significant difference in participant symptom burden at baseline or in score reduction by group, or by attendance of one versus two or more classes.
Group mediation class, when used in conjunction to standard of therapy, shows a possible subjective improvement in shortness of breath, global distress, well-being, fatigue, and anxiety in the oncology population, but more research is warranted.
Further research on the long-term effects and continued use of group meditation on shortness of breath is warranted.