Investigating the Effect of Mindfulness-Based Training on Psychological Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Departmentof Nursing, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

2 Amin Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Department of Internal Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, Iran.

4 Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, Iran.

5 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, Iran.

Abstract

Cancer poses substantial challenges to both physical and mental health of patients. On the other hand, breast cancer
is one of the most common cancers among Iranian women. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate
the effect of mindfulness-based training on psychological status and quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast cancer
living in Ilam, Iran. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 66 patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The
patients assigned into two groups of experimental and control. Experimental group received mindfulness-based group
training through eight 90-min sessions. Sessions were conducted twice a week and were completed within 1 month.
The research tools included a QoL questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Schneider’s life expectancy questionnaire, and
the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21). The questionnaires were completed before and during the interviews
with the patients 2 months after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16) and running descriptive and
analytical statistics. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between he experimental and control
groups considering QoL, life expectancy, depression, anxiety, and stress (p>0.05). However, after the intervention, the
patients in the experimental group reported higher QoL and life expectancy and less severe depression, anxiety, and
stress (p < 0.05). Considering the positive effect of mindfulness-based training on the psychological status and QoL
of patients with breast cancer, we recommend health nurses conduct mindfulness-based training for patients receiving
clinical care services.

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