Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent radiochemotherapy

Objective: The research in this paper was designed to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the syndromes, self-perceived burden and quality of life of cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent radiochemotherapy. Methods: In total, 109 patients with cervical cancer who were admitted to our hospital from February 2015 to May 2018 were enrolled and given concurrent radiochemotherapy. Then based on the method of nursing intervention, they were divided into two groups: control group (CG, n=54), and observation group (OG, n=55). Patients in the CG were treated with conventional nursing care whilst those in the OG were treated with, mindfulness-based stress reduction in addition to the intervention of the CG. Outcome measures included scores of the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), Anderson Symptom Assessment Scale (MDASI), self-perceived burden scale (SPBS), revision of Piper fatigue scale, and quality of life scale. Results: (1) After nursing care, patients in the OG reported lower SAS and SDS scores than those in the CG (P < 0.05). (2) By the MDASI scale, patients in the OG had lower scores in numbness, vomiting, sadness, dry, lethargy, decreased appetite, forgetfulness, anhelation, distress, restlessness, nausea, fatigue, and pain after nursing care compared with the CG (P < 0.05). (3) SPBS scores after nursing care in the OG were lower than those in the CG (P < 0.05). (4) Scores of cancer-related fatigue in the OG after nursing care were less than those in the CG (P < 0.05). (5) Quality of life scores in the OG after nursing care were greater than those in the CG (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Mindfulness-based stress reduction for cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent radiochemotherapy is beneficial and able to reduce their clinical symptoms, mental stress, self-perceived burden and cancer-related fatigue, and therefore improves their quality of life.