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Evaluation of a novel application of a mindfulness phone application for patients with brain tumours: a feasibility study

  • Clinical Study
  • Published:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the large clinical interest in mindfulness, little is known about its effects in patients with brain tumours. Novel delivery methods such as App based Mindfulness training (AMT) may assist in the delivery of mindfulness treatment to this group of patients.

Methods

We aimed to determine the feasibility of administering an 8-week mindfulness treatment by AMT in patients operated on for brain tumours in a publically funded hospital. As a secondary aim we collected preliminary data regarding changes in self-reported psychological distress, quality of life and mindfulness capacity.

Results

Uptake was of 40 potentially eligible participants. Of the 20 entering the study, only 10 completed the 8-week post group assessment and only 3 completed the follow-up assessment. There was a positive direction of pre-post change in almost all completers with statistically significant improvement in several mindfulness scales and illness-related quality of life however there was a deterioration in the social/family quality of life domain. The significant variability in individual usage of the AMT appeared to be related more to individual differences rather than tumour histology, progression or treatment. The treatment was well received by those completing the study.

Conclusions

Recruitment and retention feasibility issues were identified. Promising preliminary change and treatment satisfaction scores however suggest that further research with the AMT is warranted. Reduced assessment burden and more regular engagement during treatment is recommended to enhance retention. Large sample sizes however will be needed to address the heterogeneity of this group.

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Data availability

De-identified data is available from the corresponding author on request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Headspace for support for this research project as noted above. We thank the staff at the Neurosurgery department for the support with this project and continuous patients’ care.

Funding

No financial disclosures to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Claudio De Tommasi & Emily Richardson

  2. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Marco Reale

  3. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Jennifer Jordan

  4. Clinical Research Unit, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Jennifer Jordan

Authors
  1. Claudio De Tommasi
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  2. Emily Richardson
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  3. Marco Reale
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  4. Jennifer Jordan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudio De Tommasi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Headspace® provided free access to 1-year subscriptions for patients in this trial and provided de-identified usage data to the researchers on request. Headspace® had no input into the design or conduct of the study or in the writing of this manuscript.

Consent to participate

All participants provided written informed consent to participate in the study and for release of usage data from Headspace®.

Consent for publication

Participants consented to publication of de-identified data.

Ethical approval

The study received ethics approval: Health and Disability Ethics Committees 16NTB183.

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De Tommasi, C., Richardson, E., Reale, M. et al. Evaluation of a novel application of a mindfulness phone application for patients with brain tumours: a feasibility study. J Neurooncol 149, 489–498 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-020-03638-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-020-03638-x

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