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A non-randomized comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and healing arts programs for facilitating post-traumatic growth and spirituality in cancer outpatients

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Abstract

Goals of work

The aim of this study was to compare a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and a healing through the creative arts (HA) program on measures of post-traumatic growth (PTGI-R), spirituality (FACIT-Sp), stress (SOSI), and mood disturbance (POMS) in cancer patients.

Materials and methods

A sample of cancer outpatients (MBSR, n = 60; HA, n = 44) with a variety of diagnoses chose to attend either an 8-week MBSR program or a 6-week HA program and were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The majority of participants were female, married, and had breast cancer.

Main results

Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that participants in both groups improved significantly over time on overall post-traumatic growth (p = 0.015). Participants in the MBSR group improved on measures of spirituality more than those in the HA group (p = 0.029). Participants in the MBSR group also showed more improvement than those in HA on measures of anxiety (POMS, p = 0.038), anger (POMS, p = 0.004), overall stress symptoms (SOSI, p = 0.041), and mood disturbance (POMS, p = 0.023). Several main effects of time were also observed in both groups. These results were found despite attrition in both groups.

Conclusions

Both programs may improve facilitation of positive growth after traumatic life experiences for those who choose to participate. MBSR may be more helpful than HA in enhancing spirituality and reducing stress, depression, and anger.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Linda Carlson is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award. We would like to thank the participants in these groups and their continued involvement in our programs and research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Linda E. Carlson

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Sheila N. Garland, Linda E. Carlson, Sarah Cook & Laura Lansdell

  3. Alberta Cancer Board–Holy Cross Site, Department of Psychosocial Resources, 2202 2nd Street SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 3C1, Canada

    Linda E. Carlson

  4. Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, University of Calgary, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Michael Speca

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  1. Sheila N. Garland
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  2. Linda E. Carlson
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  4. Laura Lansdell
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  5. Michael Speca
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Correspondence to Linda E. Carlson.

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Garland, S.N., Carlson, L.E., Cook, S. et al. A non-randomized comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and healing arts programs for facilitating post-traumatic growth and spirituality in cancer outpatients. Support Care Cancer 15, 949–961 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0280-5

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