Group-blended and individual-unguided online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for people with cancer: long-term effects, moderation, and prediction of a randomized controlled trial.

Description

Background: A three-arm RCT showed that two online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy formats (eMBCT)—group-blended and individual-unguided—reduced psychological distress and improved health outcomes in people with cancer, compared to care as usual, up to three months post-treatment. Long-term effects and predictors remain unclear. Objective: To examine long-term effects (up to nine months) of group-blended and individual-unguided eMBCT on psychological distress and mental health outcomes, and explore predictors and moderators of treatment effects. Methods: Participants with cancer were randomized to group-blended or individual-unguided eMBCT (N = 161; 71 group-blended, 90 individual-unguided), including those reallocated from a waitlist. Assessments at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups measured psychological distress (primary), fear of recurrence, rumination, fatigue, mindfulness skills, decentering, self-compassion, and well-being.

Principal Investigator

Nasim Badaghi

Publication Details

  • Doi: https://doi.org/10.34973/cwgk-jq20
  • Year Of Publication: 2025
  • Country: Netherlands

Study Info

  • Study Design: RCT,
  • Population Type: Clinical, cancer
  • Age Group: Adults (25-65)
  • Control Group: Passive control group
  • Total Sample Size: 161

Intervention Info

  • Intervention Type: Adapted / Non-Standard MBI
  • Intervention Details: Group-blended and individual-unguided eMBCT were based on the MBCT program by Segal et al. (2018). Both conditions followed the prototypical 8-week MBCT (2,5-h sessions per week), with formal and informal mindfulness practices, reflections, homework (30 min to an hour daily), and a silent day. In a co-creation process, we adapted the program by including psychoeducation about cancer and grief and modifying the movement exercises for people with cancer. Intervention development and session content have been published elsewhere.
  • Intervention Length: 8
  • Questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form (FCRI), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form (FFMQ-SF), Mental Health Continuum Scale-Short Form (MHC-SF), Checklist Individual Strength (fatigue severity subscale only), Self-compassion Scale (SCS), Experiences Questionnaire (decentering subscale only), Rumination and Reflection Questionnaire (rumination subscale only), Twente Engagement with E-health Technologies Scale (TWEETS)

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