6th Edition of World Nursing Science Conference 2026

Abstract

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as promising supportive therapies for individuals with lung cancer for a variety of clinical outcomes. However, little is known about the variety of MBI’s that have been studied in lung cancer populations. We conducted a systematic review of MBI’s in lung cancer with the aim of 1) describing kinds of MBI’s have been developed and studied in lung cancer populations, , and 2) summarizing the clinical outcomes through a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens.

Methods: We adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Systematic searches of PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO, were conducted in October 2025 to identify all existing records to date. 

Results: Sixteen clinical trials (11 randomized control trials (RCT’s) and five single-group studies) examined a variety of MBI’s in lung cancer populations. The most frequent studied were psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Ten studies reported significant improvements in anxiety symptoms while 13 reported significant changes in depressive symptoms following structured or integrated MBI’s. Physical symptoms like dyspnea, sleep, and fatigue, were commonly studied, with several good quality studies showing significant improvement in these areas; however, the outcomes for dyspnea were less consistent compared to general physical health and sleep. Some, but fewer, studies explored social and spiritual outcomes like caregiver support and distress, and spiritual well-being, showing generally positive outcomes. 

Conclusions: Overall, results indicate that a variety of clinical symptoms improve following MBI interventions. More emphasis should be placed on conducting gold-standard RCT’s, comparing specific MBI’s, and further addressing social outcomes, like caregiver distress, in addition to patient clinical outcomes.