Cancer and Mind-Body Research

We have listed below the key review papers and studies that have addressed the issue of cancer and mind-body interventions.This includes research on meditation, yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi and the expressive arts (music, art and dance therapies). Last updated: June 21st 2010.

Overall / combined approaches / Mindfulness-based stress reduction

Research review papers:

Mind-body treatments for the pain-fatigue-sleep disturbance symptom cluster in persons with cancer. Kwekkeboom KL, Cherwin CH, Lee JW & Wanta B. J Pain Symptom Manage 2010 Jan;39(1):126-38 (Abstract)

Mindfulness-based stress reduction as supportive therapy in cancer care: systematic review. Smith JE, Richardson J, Hoffman C & Pilkington K, J Adv Nurs 2005 Nov; 52(3):315-27 (Abstract)

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis. Ledesma D & Kumano H. Psychooncology 2009 Jun; 18(6):571-9 (Abstract)

Key research studies:

One year pre-post intervention follow-up of psychological, immune, endocrine and blood pressure outcomes of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Carlson LE, Speca M, Faris P & Patel KD. Brain Behav Immun 2007 Nov;21(8):1038-49 (Abstract)

Effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Witek-Janusek L et al. Brain Behav Immun. 2008 Aug;22(6):969-81. (Full text)

Enhanced Psychosocial Well-Being Following Participation in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program Is Associated with Increased Natural Killer Cell Activity. Fang Cy et al. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 May 10. (Abstract)

Psychological benefits for cancer patients and their partners participating in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Birnie K et al. Psychooncology. 2009 Nov 16. (Abstract)

Meditation & visualisation / Imagery

Research review papers:

Mindfulness meditation for oncology patients: a discussion and critical review. Ott MJ, Norris RL and Bauer-Wu SM. Integr Cancer Ther 2006 Jun;5(2):98-108. (Abstract)

A systematic review of guided imagery as an adjuvant cancer therapy. Roffe L et al. Psychooncology. 2005 Aug;14(8):607-17. (Abstract)

Key research studies:

A randomized controlled trial of the effects of transcendental meditation on quality of life in older breast cancer patients. Nidich SI et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Sep;8(3):228-34 (Abtract)

Immuno-modulatory effects of relaxation training and guided imagery in women with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing multimodality therapy: a randomised controlled trial. Eremin O et al. Breast 2009 Feb;18(1):17-25. (Abstract)

Immune responses to guided imagery during breast cancer treatment. Lengacher CA et al. Biol Res Nurs. 2008 Jan;9(3):205-14. (Abstract)

Yoga

Research review papers:

An evidence-based review of yoga as a complementary intervention for patients with cancer. Smith KB, Pukall CF. Psycho-Oncology 2009; 18(5): 465-475 (Abstract)

Key research studies:

Impact and outcomes of an iyengar yoga program in a cancer centre. Duncan MD et al. Curr Oncol. 2008 Aug;15 Suppl 2:s109.es72-8 (Abstract)

Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study. Danhauer SC et al. Psychooncology 2009 Apr;18(4):360-8 (Abstract)

Randomized controlled trial of yoga among a multiethnic sample of breast cancer patients: effects on quality of life. Moadel AB et al. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Oct 1;25(28):4387-95 (Full text)

Effects of a yoga program on cortisol rhythm and mood states in early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial. Vadiraja HS et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Mar;8(1):37-46 (Abstract)

Anxiolytic effects of a yoga program in early breast cancer patients undergoing conventional treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Rao MR et al. Complement Ther Med. 2009 Jan;17(1):1-8. (Abstract)

Qigong

Research review papers:

Qigong for cancer treatment: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Lee MS, Chen KW, Sancier KM & Ernst E. Acta Oncol 2007;46(6):717-722 (Full text)

Tai Chi

Research review papers:

Tai Chi for breast cancer patients: a systematic review. Lee MS, Choi TY & Ernst E. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010 Apr;120(2):309-16 (Abstract)

Is Tai Chi an effective adjunct in cancer care? A systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Lee MS, Pittler MH & Ernst E. Support Care Cancer 2007 Jun;15(6):597-601 (Abstract)

Music Therapy

Research review papers:

Music and cancer pain management. Igawa-Silva W et al. Hawaii Med J. 2007 Nov;66(11):292-5. (Abstract)

Effects of music and music therapy on medical patients: a meta-analysis of the research and implications for the future. Dileo C et al. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006 Spring;4(2):67-70. (Abstract)

Art Therapy

Key research studies:

Creative arts therapy improves quality of life for pediatric brain tumor patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Madden JR et al. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2010 May-Jun;27(3):133-45. (Abstract)

Individual brief art therapy can be helpful for women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled clinical study. Thyme KE et al. Palliat Support Care. 2009 Mar;7(1):87-95.(Abstract)

A randomized, controlled trial of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) for women with cancer. Monti DA et al. Psychooncology. 2006 May;15(5):363-73. (Abstract)

Art therapy improves coping resources: a randomized, controlled study among women with breast cancer. Oster I et al. Palliat Support Care. 2006 Mar;4(1):57-64. (Abstract)

Art therapy improves experienced quality of life among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer: a randomized controlled study. Svensk AC et al. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2009 Jan;18(1):69-77. (Abstract)

Dance Therapy

Dance and movement program improves quality-of-life measures in breast cancer survivors. Sandel SL et al. Cancer Nurs. 2005 Jul-Aug;28(4):301-9. (Abstract)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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