Abstract
Objective: This is an exploratory, quasi-experimental study to investigate the effects of mindfulness based group art therapy on the depression, anxiety and quality of life in Korean patients with breast cancer.
Methods: 24 of 60 patients with breast cancer, aged 35 to 65 who underwent surgery at least 1 year after completed chemotherapy or radiotherapy were randomly assigned to either a control group or experimental group. The experimental group received 90 minutes of mindfulness based group art therapy in weekly sessions over a period of 3 months, while the control group had continued daily routines(no action). Personality Assessment Inventory(PAI) was used to assess the effect of therapy on depression and anxiety. Korean version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30(EORTC-QoL-C30) was used to assess quality of life.
Results: Mindfulness based group art therapy had significant effects on the anxiety(F=22.86, p<.001) and depression(F=42.73, p<.001). Global quality of life (F=34.10, p<.001) and physical(F=31.57, p<.001)l, cognitive(F=8.28, p<.01), and social functions(F=14.93, p<.001) of EORTC-QOL-30 were improved after Mindfulness based group therapy compared to the control group, but there was no significant effect on the role and social function. Fatigue(F=24.57, p<.001), nausea and vomiting(F=8.08, p<.01), pain(F=17.50, p<.01), constipation(F=9.47, p<.01), diarrhea(F=7.90, p<.05) and sleep disturbance(F=8.03, p<.05) of EORTC-QoL-C30 in the experimental group were significantly improved after Mindfulness based group art therapy compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Mindfulness based group art therapy may have beneficial effects on depression and anxiety, and improve quality of life and symptoms in Korean patients with breast cancer.
Key Words: Group therapy, Mindfulness, anxiety, depression, QoL, breast cancer