SUMMARY OF THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY-

INDUCED SIDE EFFECTS

2007-2017
Author Year Design Cancer Sample Summary of Findings
Diagnosis Size
Henderson et al. 2013 RCT (Randomized Breast 172 Women who actively received radiotherapy while
Control Trial) participants participating in the mindfulness-based stress reduction
(MBSR) intervention experienced a significant
improvement in multiple psychosocial variables.
These included health-related, BrCA-specific
quality of life and psychosocial coping, which
were the primary outcomes, and secondary
measures, including meaningfulness,
helplessness, cognitive avoidance, depression,
paranoid ideation, hostility, anxiety, and
emotional control.
MBSR appears to facilitate psychosocial adjustment in
breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy,
suggesting applicability for MBSR as adjunctive
therapy in oncological practice.
Cramer et al. 2012 Systematic Review Breast 118 studies This systematic review found that the effectiveness of
and Meta-analysis MBSR improves psychological health in breast cancer
patients.

Mayden et al. 2012 Systematic Review Mixed 5 studies Evidence supports MBSR, relaxation therapy,
cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback,
music therapy, art therapy, support groups, and
aromatherapy as having a place in effective
complementary measure for symptom management and
improved quality of life in patients undergoing
chemotherapy.
Musial et al. 2011 Systematic Review Mixed 25 studies Evidence supports that MBSR improves mood and
and Meta-analysis distress in cancer patients.
Deng et al. 2009 Clinical Practice Mixed 330 studies Mind-body modalities are recommended as part of a
Guideline multidisciplinary approach to reduce anxiety, mood
disturbance, chronic pain, and improve quality of life
in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
 In a randomized wait-list control study of 109 cancer
patients, participation in a 7-week MBSR program was
associated with significant improvement in mood
disturbance and stress symptoms.
Importantly, the effect was maintained even 6 months
after the program ended.
Hunter et. al 2015 RCT Mixed 639 Studied the effects of Mindfulness Relaxation (MR),
participants consisting of a 20-minute meditation, informed by
principles of mindfulness, yoga, and guided imagery,
on anticipatory nausea and vomiting.
MR was delivered prior to chemotherapy by the nurse
and patients also received a tape of MR to be used at
home and at all chemotherapy administrations.
MR reduced anticipatory nausea compared to SC
(Standard Care).