Improving Cognitive Impairment in Cancer Patients With an Online Course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients often suffer from neurocognitive impairments due to cancer treatment, the cancer itself, and/or coping with the illness, significantly impairing quality of life and everyday functioning. AIMS: This study evaluates the effectiveness of an online MBSR course regarding neurocognitive functioning and well-being of cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 170 cancer patients with cognitive impairments 3 months to 5 years after completing antitumor therapy were randomized to an online MBSR course led by an experienced therapist or a waitlist control group. Assessments were conducted online at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1, 8 weeks). The control group then received the intervention and was assessed again after 8 weeks (T2). Both groups completed a 3-month follow-up (T3). The primary outcome was subjective neurocognitive functioning (FACT-Cog). Secondary outcomes included quality of life (FACT-G), fatigue (BFI), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), attention (Go-No-Go), and verbal learning and memory (VLMT). Outcomes were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures. RESULTS: Subjective neurocognitive functioning (FACT-Cog) improved significantly in the intervention group compared to controls at T1 (Cohen's d = 0.36-0.72, p = 0.004-< 0.001, depending on subscale), as well as quality of life (FACT-G, Cohen's d = 0.32, p = 0.001), fatigue (BFI, Cohen's d = -0.47, p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9, Cohen's d = -0.57, p < 0.001). Objective memory performance (VLMT, Cohen's d = 0.25, p = 0.030) improved. Effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The online MBSR course can effectively improve cancer-related cognitive impairment and well-being of cancer patients.