Complementary Medicine Research Projects
Mindfulness
Current projects (2)
Understanding anxiety and depression in prostate cancer patients: A feasibility study and qualitative evaluation of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for the management of anxiety and depression in men with prostate cancer during their active surveillance stage of treatment.
Investigators: George Lewith/Geraldine Leydon.
Funded by: NIHR/School for Primary Care Research £149,665
Status: Study in progress
Abstract: View / Close
Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) is a simple system of meditation that has no religious connotations and is widely used internationally. This project will:
- Systematically review the evidence for mindfulness treatments in the management of cancer.
- Identify the prevalence of depression and anxiety in a cohort of men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance in a cancer centre in the South of England (Southampton).
- Conduct a pilot study with a sample of prostate cancer patients that will qualitatively and quantitatively explore the mechanism and impact of a standard programme of MBSR on participants’ depression and anxiety
- Evaluate feasibility for a larger study involving an RCT with a health economic component and NHS provision
We already have a grant to evaluate MBSR for terminal breast cancer and wish to continue to build expertise in this area sharing interest in CAM, cancer and mindfulness with Bristol. This strategy is consistent with NCRI and Macmillan research strategy and will improve the self-management of prostate cancer in the community. Our primary aim with this pilot work is to understand anxiety and depression in this population and develop a model that explains how MBSR may help in the management of it. We will also quantitatively measure mindfulness and depression/anxiety over time to define the effect size of the mindfulness intervention and examine its feasibility in practice. This crucial feasibility pilot work will enable us to design and power a more definitive clinical trial. This study has been submitted to and rejected by the prostate cancer charity due to their lack of funds but it received excellent and positive peer review (available on request).
A qualitative (feasibility) study of mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) for the treatment of fatigue, anxiety and depression in women with metastatic breast cancer
Investigators: George Lewith/Geraldine Leydon
Funded by: NIHR RfPB £220,664
Status: Study in progress
Walach H, Bosch H, Lewith G, Naumann J, Schwarzer B, Falk S et al. Effectiveness of distant healing for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomised controlled partially blinded trial (EUHEALS). Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 2008; doi: 10.1159/000116609.
Abstract: View / Close
FATIGUE, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION (FAD)
FAD are common among most cancer patients and impact on quality of life. Fatigue has been poorly investigated and there are few effective treatments. Fatigue may be caused by the cancer or related to the distress that accompanies diagnosis and treatment.
MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR)
MBSR is a non-religious approach to meditation that has been used in clinical settings for 20+ years and can be taught in an agreed structured 8-week course. It helps people manage their emotional distress and is used in the USA to manage chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Some fatigue will result from the distress caused by having cancer so managing distress could help fatigue.
THE STUDY
Testing MBSR in 30 women with metstatic breast cancer (MBC) will help understand its effects and women's views about it. Two audio-recorded interviews (before & after MBSR) will be typed up for analysis (carefully comparing each interview for key stories/insights). We will ask the same 30 women to complete 5 brief standard questionnaires to measure their mindfulness, FAD, quality of life (monitoring change over time) and the economic impact of illness. This will improve our understanding of the potential effectiveness of MBSR and help design a large randomised trial. Focus groups of NHS providers and commissioners will check how realistic it is to run MBSR courses in the NHS. Fatigue is disabling, poorly managed and few treatment options exist. Evidence suggests MBSR has potential to help and this study is needed to test its potential in women with MBC. Qualitative evidence is lacking and more good quality information is needed to inform further quantitative work.
OUR EXPERTISE
Includes:expert patients, statistics, health economics, qualitative & quantitative researchers, sociologists, psychologists, cancer research clinicians & mindfulness experts. Recruitment & research environments have been identified with good support from UoS
