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A pilot randomised controlled trial of an online mindfulness-based program for people diagnosed with melanoma

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Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for people diagnosed with melanoma. The potential benefit of the MBI on fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), worry, rumination, perceived stress and trait mindfulness was also explored.

Methods

Participants who have completed treatment for stage 2c or 3 melanoma were recruited from an outpatient clinic and randomly allocated to either the online MBI (intervention) or usual care (control). The 6-week online MBI comprised short videos, daily guided meditations and automated email reminders. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires at baseline and at 6-week post-randomisation. Study feasibility and acceptability were assessed through recruitment rates, retention and participant feedback. Clinical and psychosocial outcomes were compared between groups using linear mixed models.

Results

Sixty-nine (58%) eligible participants were randomised (46 in the intervention; 23 in the control group); mean age was 53.4 (SD 13.1); 54% were female. Study completion rate across both arms was 80%. The intervention was found helpful by 72% of the 32 respondents. The intervention significantly reduced the severity of FCR compared to the control group (mean difference = − 2.55; 95% CI − 4.43, − 0.67; p = 0.008). There was no difference between the intervention and control groups on any of the outcome measures.

Conclusions

This online MBI was feasible and acceptable by people at high risk of melanoma recurrence. It significantly reduced FCR severity in this sample. Patients valued accessing the program at their own pace and convenience. This self-guided intervention has the potential to help survivors cope with emotional difficulties. An adequately powered randomised controlled trial to test study findings is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the participants and clinicians from the melanoma outpatient clinic at the comprehensive cancer centre for their involvement in this study. Our acknowledgments also extend to Eric O (Seung Chul) from the Department of Psychology, Deakin University, for providing support with the website design during the study period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

    Lahiru Russell, Anna Ugalde & Patricia M. Livingston

  2. Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

    Liliana Orellana

  3. Skin and Melanoma Services/Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Donna Milne

  4. Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Meinir Krishnasamy

  5. Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Meinir Krishnasamy

  6. Campus Community Division, Monash University, 40 Exhibition Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia

    Richard Chambers

  7. School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

    David W. Austin

Authors
  1. Lahiru Russell
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  2. Anna Ugalde
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  3. Liliana Orellana
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  4. Donna Milne
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  8. Patricia M. Livingston
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Correspondence to Lahiru Russell.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Russell, L., Ugalde, A., Orellana, L. et al. A pilot randomised controlled trial of an online mindfulness-based program for people diagnosed with melanoma. Support Care Cancer 27, 2735–2746 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4574-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4574-6

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