A mixed method feasibility and acceptability study of a flexible intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy for patients with cancer

TL;DR

This study tested a new therapy program combining mindfulness and acceptance techniques for cancer patients, showing it is feasible and improves quality of life.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel, flexible ACT-based intervention tailored for cancer patients and demonstrates its feasibility and acceptability.

Findings

High adherence was observed, with 90% of patients attending at least one cycle of the program.

Each session attended was linked to a significant improvement in quality of life and reduced fatigue dimensions.

Patients reported learning valuable skills and appreciating the program, rating it highly important.

Abstract

This study aimed to propose an innovative, open, and circular program that combines acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness practices. We assessed its feasibility, acceptability, and first signs of its effect on psychological wellbeing in cancer support treatment.

A single-center, single-arm, uncontrolled study was performed. Forty adult patients with non-metastatic prostate or breast cancer, newly diagnosed or undergoing treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy), were recruited. Three cycles of three MAEva program sessions (MAEva: Mindfulness meditation, Acceptance, and Commitment to values program) over nine consecutive weeks were proposed. During the total of 12 weeks of follow-up, after attending the first session, patients were free to attend subsequent sessions.

Adherence to the study was high, with participation in an average of 6.8 out of nine sessions. A total of eight patients attended all sessions over the three cycles, and 90% participated in at least one cycle. Furthermore, attendance was associated with a statistically significant improvement in Quality of Life (QoL). Each additional session was associated with a mean increase in overall QoL score of more than one point (β = 1.09 [0.13; 2.04], p = 0.02). The fatigue dimensions decreased with session attendance: physical (β = −2.24 [−3.63; −0.85]), emotional (β = −2.60 [−4.11; −1.09]), and interference with daily life (β = −2.33 [−3.95; −0.72]). The qualitative section demonstrated that patients learned skills and shared their ability to “let go”. Patients rated the degree of importance of the program at 8.36/10 (SD ± 1.64).

This study highlights the feasibility and acceptability of an original program that combines ACT and mindfulness practices in cancer patients. Future studies are required to demonstrate the efficacy of the MAEVA program. The MAEva pilot study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT04751201.

https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04751201, identifier [NCT04751201].

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