1. Background
Hospitalized cancer patients in Romania experience high level of cancer distress: 47.5% are clinically depressed, 46.7% suffer from anxiety disorders and 28.1% report critically low quality of life. Development of patient-focused psychosocial services in oncology in Romania is imperative.
2. Aims
In our project we investigate the impact of a mindfulness based group therapy on reduction of anxiety, depressive symptoms and on improvement of coping resources and quality of life in a sample of hospitalized breast cancer patients from Romania. Also we aim to inform professionals, especially in Romania, about the benefits of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
3. Methods
We will carry out our intervention with breast cancer in-patients at the Institute of Oncology "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta" in Cluj-Napoca. Instruments used in this clinical study: HADS scale, FACT-G 4.0 and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The intervention group will include in-patients with breast cancer, who receive regular chemo and/or radiotherapy treatment, and who will take part in six group meetings based mostly on Russ Harris’s mindfulness model.
4. Results and conclusions
Significance of our work should be highlighted as this is the first MBSR intervention in Romania. Data about our recently started project will be reported at the meeting.