Mind-Body Therapies for Cancer Patients Living with Depression, Anxiety or Insomnia (MIRACLE): A Systematic Review with Individual Participant Data Network Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia are common in cancer patients. Mind-body therapies (MBTs) are promising forms of treatment for cancer patients living with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of MBTs in cancer patients living with depression, anxiety, or insomnia. EMBase, PubMed, Cinahl, PsychINFO, IndMED, CSI-NISCAIR, CNKI, Clinicaltrial.gov, ChiCTR, and CTRI will be searched until October 2020 for relevant studies. Randomized controlled studies in which MBTs were tested in a cancer population will be selected. The authors of the selected studies will be contacted to obtain individual participant data. The participants who reached a defined clinical threshold for depression, anxiety, or insomnia will be selected for the three sub-studies on depression, anxiety, and insomnia, respectively. Pairwise and network meta-analyses will be used to assess the changes in depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and completion rate. We will assess the effect of the treatment dose (number and frequency of interventions) on effectiveness. The results of this study will inform clinical decision-making for the treatment of psychological disturbances in cancer patients. If MBTs are found effective, they will potentially be recommended as treatments for cancer patients with psychological symptoms.

The Relationship Between Yoga Practice Dosage and Perceived Stress, Anxiety, and Self-reported Health Among Breast Cancer Survivors Who Practice Yoga

“…Implications for holistic practice, across all populations and especially those caring for patients with chronic illness, are to encourage a healthy lifestyle, which mitigates the effects of anxiety and promotes a sense of well-being. In terms of this study's results, nurses could direct women with breast cancer to engage and sustain their yoga practice which would benefit them, both psychosocially and physically 39,40. It was surprising, yet reassuring, that despite having had a breast cancer diagnosis, participants of the survey viewed themselves overall as healthy, describing their health as either “very good” or “good.” No participant reported their health as “poor” or “bad.” Future research is needed to elucidate modifiable factors that contribute to breast cancer survivors' perceptions of themselves as healthy.…”

“…In terms of this study's results, nurses could direct women with breast cancer to engage and sustain their yoga practice which would benefit them, both psychosocially and physically. 39,40 It was surprising, yet reassuring, that despite having had a breast cancer diagnosis, participants of the survey viewed themselves overall as healthy, describing their health as either "very good" or "good." No participant reported their health as "poor" or "bad."…”

“A Hippo Out of Water”: A Qualitative Inquiry of How Cancer Survivors Experienced In-Person and Remote-Delivered Mind-Body Therapies

“…Specifically, mind-body therapies (MBTs), such as mindfulness and tai chi qigong (TCQ), have been studied and implemented in clinical practice to help patients and survivors of cancer manage unwanted, illness-related psychological and physical symptoms. 3 Reviews of the current literature show that outcomes from MBTs, such as mood and sleep quality, produce clinically significant, large effects, 3 - 5 therefore supporting their value as a clinical service for the cancer population. While some of these interventions are offered online or digitally, most MBT therapies are conducted in-person, and there is currently uncertainty as to whether in-person or online modalities are better suited for certain populations or specific MBTs.…”

Integrative vision in cancer research, prevention and therapy

“…A systematic review of death anxiety in 1179 patients with advance cancer, concluded, “Therapies of short duration incorporating spiritual well-being and those evoking a sense of meaning were claimed to be the most beneficial, despite lacking rigorous statistical analysis” [ 47 ]. Another systematic review on psychedelics, covering 1850 records and 33 articles, stated, “Recent (controlled) trials with LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA are of higher methodological quality and indicate positive effects on existential and spiritual well-being, quality of life, acceptance, and reduction of anxiety and depression with few adverse and no serious adverse effects.” [ 48 ] Birling et al have reviewed Mind-Body Therapies for Cancer Patients Living with Depression, Anxiety or Insomnia [ 49 ]. These therapies improve health through mindfulness, breathing exercises, postures, movements, and relaxation.…”