Mindfulness

Efficacy

Breast Cancer: The available evidence suggests MBSR is effective in reducing stress in women with breast cancer in the short term. The results are derived from 3 SRs (n=10 RCTs, n=3 RCT’s, n=14 mixed study designs) and one additional RCTs n=192 participants).  

Children and adolescents: One SR (n=6) reported positive findings with mixed types of cancer but only two of the included studies were RCTs. The evidence is of low methodological quality. 

Safety

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are generally considered safe in supportive cancer care. However, no rigorous assessment of the safety of mindfulness-based approaches in cancer patients is available.

Read the full version of the  Mindfulness summary.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Efficacy

The available evidence suggests progressive muscle relaxation to be effective in reducing stress reducing stress.  Four out of five available controlled trials reported stress reduction (three RCTs n=14,  n=84 and two non-RCT n=46, n=138); no significant difference was reported in one RCT (n=82); moderate-certainty evidence.  

Safety

Generally considered safe when administered by a qualified practitioner. Some concern has been raised about the use of relaxation therapy interventions among individuals who have a history of psychiatric disorders.

Read the full version of the Progressive Muscle Relaxation summary.

Yoga 

Efficacy

The available evidence suggests yoga has positive short-term effects on perceived stress. The results were obtained from three SRs among patients with breast cancer (n=6 RCTs, n=10 RCTs, n =12 RCTs). Among patients with cervical cancer, perceived stress improved according to a RCT (n=48). 

Safety

Generally considered safe when administered by a qualified practitioner. Few adverse events are reported in clinical trials and serious adverse effects appear to be rare. Overall injury rates are comparable to other exercise types.

Read the full version of the Yoga summary.

Autogenic therapy 

Efficacy

Few data are available on the effect of autogenic therapy on stress. Only one quasi-experimental study (n=60) is available that shows that autogenic therapy reduced stress among cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Safety

The safety of autogenic therapy has not been systematically assessed. No adverse events were reported in the studies analysed for this summary. Concerns exist for children under the age of five, individuals with schizophrenia, or who are actively psychotic.

Read the full version of the Autogenic therapy summary.

Massage (Classical/ Swedish)

Efficacy

Few trial data are available on the effect of massage therapy on stress.  The results are derived from a SR (n=16 mixed studies design); however, the review assessed distress and stress and only one only one of the studies included evaluates stress.

Safety

Generally considered safe when administered by a qualified professional.  Contraindications include strong, forceful massage in patients suffering from haemorrhagic disorders, low platelet counts, and blood thinning medication.

Read the full version of the  Massage (Classical/ Swedish) summary.

Ornish diet and lifestyle modification programme

Efficacy

Few trial data are available on the effect of Ornish diet on stress. Decreased perceived stress after one year was reported in one RCT in early prostate cancer (n=93).

Safety

The safety of the Ornish diet has not been systematically assessed. Trial results to date indicate absence of adverse effects.

Read the full version of the  Ornish diet and lifestyle modification programme summary.

At the time of assessment, the available evidence did not suggest no effects for any of the treatments evaluated by CAM Cancer for this symptom.