Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on quality of sleep among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Chuntana Reangsing, Sasinun Punsuwun, Sarah Oerther
Journal of psychosomatic research May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112110 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials involving 2,263 cancer patients found that mindfulness-based interventions moderately improve sleep quality (effect size g = 0.598). Participants' mean age was 53.70 years, and most were male. Funding source and timing of outcome measurement influenced the effect size. No adverse effects were reported. Mindfulness-based interventions are a viable complementary treatment for sleep problems in cancer patients.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,263 |
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based interventions |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based interventions Quality of sleep Cancer Meta-analysis |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based interventions had a moderate effect on improving quality of sleep among cancer patients (g = 0.598). |
Abstract
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effects of MBIs on quality of sleep in patients with cancer and explore methods, intervention and participants' characteristics as moderators to the effects. Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to October 2024 including Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, Age line, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and ScienceDirect. We reviewed studies on quality of sleep outcomes for patients with cancer receiving mindfulness-based interventions based on Buddhist teaching. We only reviewed randomized controlled trials written in English. A random-effects model was used to compute the effect size. We used Funnel plot, Q statistics, and I2 to test the heterogeneity across studies. Also, we examined moderators to explore sources of heterogeneity. Across 25 included studies providing 26 comparisons (N = 2263), 1157 cancer patients participated in mindfulness interventions; 1106 served as controls. Most cancer patients were males (s = 14). Mean age ranged from 39.02 to 70.86 yrs. (Mean = 53.70, SD = 6.52). Overall, MBIs had a moderate effect on improving quality of sleep among cancer patients (g = 0.598, 95 %CI 0.332, 0.864, p < .001, I2 = 88 %). Funding and time of outcome measure were moderators affecting ES. No primary studies reported the adverse effects. MBIs significantly improved quality of sleep among patients with cancer. Clinicians should consider using MBIs as alternative complementary treatment for improving quality of sleep among patients with cancer.