Mind-Body Medicine and Lifestyle modification in Supportive Cancer Care: A cohort study on a day care clinic program for cancer patients

Question We developed an integrative day care clinic program for cancer pa‐tients focusing on Mind‐Body Medicine techniques (meditation, yoga, mindfulness), health‐promoting lifestyle modification and self empowerment. The intervention program consisted of 7 h once‐per‐week group sessions over 12 weeks (84 h intervention time in total). Methods A cohort study design with a waiting group was implemented. Outcome parameters were assessed at the beginning (baseline), at the end of the active program (12 weeks), and at a 6 month follow‐up. Patients waiting >4 and <12 weeks before treatment start were allocated to the waiting group and additionally assessed at the start of their day care program. Outcome measures included quality of life (FACT‐G, FACT‐B/C, WHO‐5), fatigue (FACIT‐F), depression and anxiety (HADS) and mood states (ASTS). A per protocol analysis using mixed linear models was performed. Results 100 patients were screened on‐site for eligibility, of which 86 patients were included into the study. 86 cancer survivors (83% female; mean age 53.7 ± 9.7 years; 49% breast cancer; 7% colon cancer; mean time since first diagnosis 55.06 ± 28.75 months) par‐ticipated in the program. 62 patients were allocated to the intervention group, 24 patients were allocated to the waiting group (mean waiting time 5 ± 1 weeks). 14 patients in the intervention group discontinued the intervention. 6 data sets were not complete. 66 data sets were included in the final per protocol analysis. Significant improvements were observed in favour of the inter‐vention group after 12 weeks compared to the waiting group at the end of the waiting list period for quality of life (WHO‐5: 3.94 (1.7, 6.1), p =.001; FACT‐G: 6.4 (2.3, 10.5), p =.02, FACT‐B: 13 (4.5, 21.5), p =.0004), decreased anxiety/depression (HADS‐2.8 (‐5.3,‐0.4, p =.01) and decreased fatigue symptoms (FACIT‐F: 6 (1.3, 10.8), p =.02). Results from the 6 month follow‐up for the whole study population showed lasting improvement of quality of life. Most practiced Mind‐Body techniques were yoga and meditation. The overall effect of the day care clinic program was rated positive from >90% of all participants. Conclusions This integrative day care clinic program can be considered as an ef‐fective means to improve quality of life, fatigue and mental health of cancer patients. Moreover, it appears to have a sustainable effect, which has to be proved in randomized trials. Trial registration: DRKS00011027.