Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Psychological Distress in Lung Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Author(s)
Ji-Yao Lai, MD1, Tsai-Wei Huang, PhD.2.
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, 2Professor, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, 2Professor, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer patients often experience considerable psychological distress, including breathlessness-related anxiety that limits activity and triggers panic. While mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown benefits for general cancer populations, their efficacy specifically for lung cancer patients remains understudied. We evaluated the effectiveness of MBIs for reducing psychological distress and fatigue, increasing mindfulness, and improving quality of life in adult patients with lung cancer.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials comparing MBIs with usual care in patients with lung cancer were included. Four databases were searched up to January 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences (SMDs).
RESULTS: Nine trials were included. MBIs significantly reduced psychological distress in both the short term (SMD = −1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.63, −0.54) and long term (SMD = −1.74, 95% CI: −2.46, −1.03). MBIs also significantly decreased fatigue (SMD = −1.53, 95% CI: −1.87, −1.19), increased mindfulness (SMD = 1.87, 95% CI: 0.80, 2.93), and improved quality of life (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.06, 1.41). Both 6-week and 8-week MBIs demonstrated large effects.
CONCLUSIONS: MBIs are beneficial for patients with lung cancer across multiple outcomes, particularly psychological distress. These findings support the integration of MBIs into comprehensive care for patients with lung cancer, especially for managing breathlessness-related distress.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials comparing MBIs with usual care in patients with lung cancer were included. Four databases were searched up to January 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences (SMDs).
RESULTS: Nine trials were included. MBIs significantly reduced psychological distress in both the short term (SMD = −1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.63, −0.54) and long term (SMD = −1.74, 95% CI: −2.46, −1.03). MBIs also significantly decreased fatigue (SMD = −1.53, 95% CI: −1.87, −1.19), increased mindfulness (SMD = 1.87, 95% CI: 0.80, 2.93), and improved quality of life (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.06, 1.41). Both 6-week and 8-week MBIs demonstrated large effects.
CONCLUSIONS: MBIs are beneficial for patients with lung cancer across multiple outcomes, particularly psychological distress. These findings support the integration of MBIs into comprehensive care for patients with lung cancer, especially for managing breathlessness-related distress.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD22
Topic Subcategory
Data Protection, Integrity, & Quality Assurance
Disease
SDC: Oncology