Coping with cancer mindfully: A feasibility study of a mindfulness intervention focused on acceptance and meaning in life for adults with advanced cancer

Purpose: The psychological needs of those with advanced cancer have been relatively neglected and many cannot attend treatment for logistic reasons. This study evaluated the feasibility of recruitment and delivery strategies and gathered preliminary data regarding efficacy of the "Coping with Cancer Mindfully" intervention. This is a mindfulness-based intervention designed to improve patients' coping by accepting their situation, increasing their focus on meaning in life and learning to cope with cancer mindfully. Methods: This is a single arm pre-post-intervention design. Adults with advanced cancer were recruited from oncology services providers in Christchurch, New Zealand. The intervention was a 1:1 delivery of a 4-week course of pre-recorded mindfulness sessions. Feasibility was assessed by attaining recruitment targets and treatment retention. Measures: evaluated participants' levels of mindful coping skills (Mindful Coping Scale), acceptance stance (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II) and meaning in their lives (Meaning in Life Questionnaire). Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes were used. Results: Twenty of 30 eligible participants consented. All participants completed the four-week course, and 19/ 20 completed post-treatment questionnaires, demonstrating feasibility. Pre-post effect sizes were moderate-large for change in acceptance, large for mindful coping skills and the presence of meaning in life. Pre-post change in search for meaning in life was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study presented preliminary promising results regarding efficacy of the intervention in promoting positive changes in acceptance, meaning in life and mindful coping skills. The low-burden and flexible home-based delivery aspects of the intervention contributed to full retention.