Journal article

Individualised mindfulness-based stress reduction for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy of curative intent: a descriptive pilot study

A Pollard, JL Burchell, D Castle, K Neilson, M Ftanou, J Corry, D Rischin, DW Kissane, M Krishnasamy, LE Carlson, J Couper

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE | WILEY | Published : 2017

Abstract

People with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience elevated symptom toxicity and co-morbidity as a result of treatment, which is associated with poorer psychosocial and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes. This Phase I study examined whether an individualised mindfulness-based stress reduction (IMBSR) programme could be successfully used with HNC patients undergoing curative treatment. Primary aims were to explore feasibility, compliance, acceptability and fidelity. Secondary aims were to determine whether (1) participation in the intervention was associated with changes in post-intervention mindfulness and (2) post-intervention mindfulness was associated with post-intervention distress and QoL. N..

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Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from beyondblue (c).