Cancer

Improve Cancer Patient Mental Health with Mindfulness Training.

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May be an image of 3 people and television

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

In today’s Research News article “Review of Psychological Interventions in Oncology: Current Trends and Future Directions” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857804/ ) Anghel and colleagues reviewed the published randomized controlled trials of the effectiveness of psychological interventions on the mental health of cancer patients. They found that these interventions including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) were effective in “alleviating distress, fostering resilience, and improving the quality of life.”
Mindfulness training improves the mental health of cancer patients.
CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies
This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog http://contemplative-studies.org
Study Summary
Anghel T, Melania BL, Costea I, et al. Review of Psychological Interventions in Oncology: Current Trends and Future Directions. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025;61(2):279. Published 2025 Feb 6. doi:10.3390/medicina61020279
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cancer imposes a profound burden on both physical and psychological health, particularly at advanced stages, which are associated with a poor prognosis and heightened emotional distress. Psychotherapeutic interventions have gained recognition for their role in alleviating distress, enhancing the quality of life, and supporting a holistic approach to cancer care. This review examines the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions in improving psychological well-being in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Conducted as a literature review following PRISMA guidelines, this study analyzed experimental research on psychotherapeutic interventions for cancer patients published in the past decade. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Consensus, supplemented by manual reference checks. The inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results: The analysis included 20 RCTs spanning over three decades, evaluating interventions such as individual meaning-centered psychotherapy (IMCP), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and supportive–expressive group therapy (SEGT). IMCP emerged as being particularly effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and demoralization while enhancing spiritual well-being. MBCT demonstrated significant reductions in the fear of recurrence, while SEGT effectively addressed traumatic stress and fostered social support. Although the survival benefits were inconsistently reported, psychosocial improvements, including an enhanced quality of life and emotional resilience, were consistently observed. The methodological quality varied, with nine studies meeting high-quality standards. Conclusions: Psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly IMCP and MBCT, play a critical role in oncology by alleviating distress, fostering resilience, and improving the quality of life. Integrating these approaches into routine cancer care can ensure a more holistic treatment framework that prioritizes the emotional and psychological needs of patients.

Yoga Reduces Inflammation in Breast Cancer Patients

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer Yoga Series Part 1By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “Yoga Intervention and Inflammatory Homoeostasis in Breast Cancer Patients” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11866663/ ) Kaje and colleagues provided a 3-days yoga intervention to patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. They found that the yoga practice reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in the patients.

 

Yoga decreased inflammation in patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Kaje KC, Dsilva F, Shetty PK, Mohan R, Kumar S, Dsouza N, D’souza C, Kalladka SS, Alagundagi DB, Kalladka K. Yoga Intervention and Inflammatory Homoeostasis in Breast Cancer Patients. Indian J Palliat Care. 2025 Jan-Mar;31(1):1–7. doi: 10.25259/IJPC_181_2024. Epub 2025 Feb 15. PMCID: PMC11866663.

Abstract

Objectives:

Yoga, renowned for its ability to maintain physical, mental and spiritual well-being, has recently gained prominence as a supportive therapy during conventional breast cancer (BC) treatment. This paradigm shift reflects a growing trend of people embracing yoga to enhance their overall health and aid in managing BC. The objective of this study was to determine the yoga intervention and inflammatory homoeostasis in newly diagnosed BC patients.

Materials and Method:

This study recruited 44 newly diagnosed BC patients at stages II, III and IV (without distant metastasis or other inflammatory diseases), all admitted for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. A prospective non-randomised control design was employed. Baseline assessments were conducted before the first chemotherapy cycle, with follow-ups before the 2nd and 3rd chemotherapy cycles, before surgery, and 2 months post-surgery. The outcome was compared with the control group.

Results:

The study showed significant within-subject effects in the yoga intervention group on serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1-beta and IL-6 levels, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Although between groups did not show statistically significant, the mean values indicated a consistent downregulation of proinflammatory markers over time in the yoga group.

Conclusion:

Incorporating yoga as a complementary therapy alongside conventional BC treatment significantly improved the health outcomes of BC patients by modulating proinflammatory markers.

 

Online Yoga Improves the Psychological Health of Cancer Patients

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The pros and cons of online yoga - Ekhart Yoga

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “The Effects of Online Yoga Practice on Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11817149/ ) Gatti and colleagues reviewed and summarized the published research studies on the effectiveness of yoga practice presented online to alleviate the psychological sequala of a cancer diagnosis. They report that online yoga significantly increases sleep quality and quality of life and reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in patients with a diagnosis of cancer.

 

Yoga practice improves the psychological health of cancer patients.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Gatti F, Perego G, Milano F, Calleri G, Giurioli B, Di Mattei VE. The Effects of Online Yoga Practice on Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jan 23;13(3):225. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13030225. PMID: 39942415; PMCID: PMC11817149.

 

Abstract

Background: Cancer remains a leading cause of death, with 9.7 million deaths in 2022. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, many cancer patients experience side effects that significantly impact their quality of life, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and cancer-related fatigue. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as yoga, have gained attention for their potential to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. However, barriers such as fatigue, pain, and transportation issues limit access to in-person yoga, leading to the growing adoption of online yoga as a viable alternative. Objective: This systematic review synthesizes research on the effectiveness of online yoga for cancer patients. A comprehensive search was conducted across Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases on 24 October 2024. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the CASP Checklist. Of 6266 articles initially identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising qualitative (n = 4) and quantitative (n = 10) studies. Results: The results suggest that online yoga can improve stress and sleep quality, with moderate effects on anxiety, depression, and fatigue. However, variability in study designs and methodological limitations complicate the evaluation of its overall effectiveness. Conclusions: Online yoga offers a practical, accessible option for cancer patients unable to attend in-person sessions, showing the potential to enhance mental and physical health outcomes. Nevertheless, the variability in study methodologies highlights the need for more standardized research to establish its role as a supportive intervention in oncology care.