Patients may be able to quickly reduce the intensity of cancer-related pain and anxiety through mindful breathing, according to a small study whose results were published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.
“The findings encourage the integration of brief mindfulness exercises into routine cancer care to enhance pain management and overall well-being,” the researchers wrote.
The study included 40 patients with cancer, all of whom reported a pain score of 4 out of 10 or higher, indicating moderate to severe pain. Colorectal cancer was the most common diagnosis in the study population, occurring in 32.5% of patients.
Twenty-one patients were randomly assigned to a 20-minute session of mindful breathing, led by a doctor who was trained in mindfulness techniques. The sessions were divided into four five-minute parts:
- Identifying the in- and out-breaths
- Following the entire length of the breath
- Bringing the mind back to the body
- Relaxing the body from the head to the feet
“While structured mindfulness programs have shown positive outcomes [in prior research], the practical constraints faced by patients with cancer, such as time and commitment, necessitate exploring more feasible interventions. This study’s novel approach provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of a brief mindfulness exercise, addressing a current gap in the literature,” the authors wrote.
The remaining 19 patients had a 20-minute doctor-led supportive listening session where they were asked about their experiences with their disease.
Findings showed that patients in the mindfulness breathing group had a more significant reduction in pain intensity and pain unpleasantness compared to the group assigned to the listening session. This data was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), which measures 14 criteria (such as worrying, loss of appetite and feeling tense) on a four-point scale ranging from 0 (never/not at all) to 3 (most or nearly all of the time).
READ MORE: Mind-Body Therapies for Anxiety, Depression a Critical Part of Comprehensive Cancer Care
“The results suggest that a single session of 20-minute mindful breathing holds promise in reducing pain intensity and unpleasantness among patients with cancer,” the researchers wrote.
The use of mindful breathing techniques to reduce pain and anxiety could work well alongside medications currently used to treat these conditions, according to the researchers. Research data showed that 64.9% of patients enrolled in the study were using opioids to manage cancer-related pain.
“This has important implications for clinical practice, offering a brief and accessible intervention that complements traditional pharmacological approaches.”
The researchers did mention, however, that more research is needed to validate these findings.
“The findings suggest that this brief intervention holds promise in reducing pain intensity and unpleasantness, as well as alleviating anxiety among patients with cancer. While further research is needed to consolidate these findings, the study contributes valuable insights into a feasible and accessible non-pharmacological approach to enhance pain management in cancer care,” they conclude.
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