article · Advanced Oncology
A meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression among adults with cancer. Analysing 96 randomised controlled trials covering nearly 15,000 participants, the evaluation found that both therapeutic approaches significantly alleviated psychological symptoms. Cognitive behavioural therapy displayed larger numerical reductions in symptoms, especially for depression, whereas mindfulness approaches showed slightly higher numerical reductions for anxiety, though the differences between the two modalities were not statistically significant. The benefits of both approaches persisted during follow-up periods but faded over time. Delivery formats influenced outcomes, with individual delivery yielding greater effects for cognitive behavioural therapy and digital formats performing better for mindfulness-based interventions. Substantial variation across studies and potential small-study biases mean direct comparisons should be treated with caution.
Cancer diagnoses frequently lead to anxiety and depression, affecting overall quality of life. Demonstrating that both psychological therapies and mindfulness practices provide measurable relief helps healthcare systems, clinicians, and patients select supportive care strategies. Identifying which formats work best, such as individual sessions or digital tools, aids the design of practical mental health support programmes during cancer treatment and recovery.
The findings support the implementation of digital mindfulness tools and targeted individual therapy programmes for cancer patients. Healthcare providers and digital health developers can use this evidence to refine clinical pathways and therapeutic apps. Because the underlying data derive from completed randomised controlled trials, the tested interventions represent applied and tested approaches that are near-market or readily deployable in clinical and digital health settings.
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ABSTRACT Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) are widely used to reduce anxiety and depression in adults with cancer, but their effects have rarely been examined within a single analytical framework. We conducted a stratified subgroup meta‐analysis of 96 randomized controlled trials involving 14,937 adults with cancer. Random‐effects models estimated standardized mean differences (SMDs), with subgroup and meta‐regression analyses examining potential moderators. Overall, CBT and MBIs significantly reduced psychological symptoms (SMD = −0.80). Effects were numerically larger for CBT (SMD = −0.99) than for MBIs (SMD = −0.58), although small‐study effects were detected for CBT. CBT showed a numerically larger effect for depression, whereas MBIs showed a slightly larger effect for anxiety, but these differences were not statistically significant. Benefits persisted at follow‐up but decreased over time. Effects also varied by delivery format, with larger estimates for individual CBT and digital MBIs. Substantial heterogeneity was present across analyses. Overall, both interventions improved psychological outcomes, but differences between interventions and subgroups require cautious interpretation because of substantial heterogeneity and potential small‐study bias.
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DOI: 10.1002/adon.70004
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