Skip to main content
. 2025 Sep 24;33(10):875. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09884-x

Table 3.

General characteristics of the included studies

Inclusion of literature Published (year) Country or region Research object Research design Research objective Interventionists Time of intervention
/Duration
Forms of intervention
Yakar H K et al.[15] 2021 Istanbul Cancer patient Type of experimental re- search Period of inactive treatment Trainers, researchers who have participated in training One day per week for 8 weeks,2h/session Unstructured mandalas accompanied by Far Eastern and classical music in languages other than the individual's native language
Lili Sun et al.[16] 2021 China Cancer patient A ra- ndomised controlled trial Period of chemotherapy Teams that have participated in training,including counsellors, etc 2 cycles of chemotherapy per cycle for a total of 10 cycles Structured mandala with calming music
LingYu Su et al.[17] 2022 China Patients with primary liver cancer A ra- ndomised controlled trial Operative period Teams that have participated in training,including counsellors,nurses,graduate stud- ents 1 intervention per day for a total of 6 sessions of 50-60min duration Structured mandala with soothing soft music
YaoLi Li et al.[18] 2017 China Terminal cancer patient A ra- ndomised controlled trial End-stage cancer nurses Once a week, give enough time Not mentioned, soothing soft music plus meditation
ShuFen Zhao et al.[19] 2017 China Non-elderly cancer patients A ra- ndomised controlled trial Treatment period Psychological counsellors, trained members of hospital psychological care teams, oncology nurses 2 times a week, 45 min each time, 15:00 ~ 15:45 Structural Mandala, no
Gürcan M et al.[20] 2021 Istanbul Adolescent cancer patients A ra- ndomised controlled trial End-stage cancer Fellows who have attended mandala courses Two times in total, at intervals of 2 or 3 days, with time taken into account for adolescents' recommendations Unstructured mandala accompanied by classical or instrumental music
ShuFen Zhao et al.[21] 2019 China Patients with esophageal cancer A ra- ndomised controlled trial Radiation therapy period Members of hospital care psychology teams, psycholog -ists who have participated in the training 1 time/week, 6 weeks in total, 40min/time, 15:30 ~ 16:10 Structural Mandala, no
Akbulak F et al.[22] 2023 Istanbul Female breast cancer patients Type of experimental research Period of chemotherapy Nurses Total 1 time, 30min Structural Mandala, no
Moharamkhani M et al.[23] 2023 Iran Childhood cancer patients Type of experimental research Not in advanced stages Researcher Daily, in 6 sessions for 6 days, 45 min each session (11:00 a.m.) Structural Mandala, no
Gürcan M et al.[24] 2020 Istanbul Adolescent cancer patients Qualitative research Treatment period Researcher Total 1 session, 1–2 h Unstructured mandala, accom -panied by classical or instrumental music
Elkis-Abuhoff et al.[25] 2009 United States of America Female breast cancer patients Qualitative research Treatment period Doctors Every time you go to the doctor Unstructured mandala, no