Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to review any form of meditative/relaxation interventions for managing cognitive impairment in cancer patients, and to examine its intervention effect.
Methods: Three databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and CNKI) were searched until September 30, 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of meditative/relaxation-based interventions for the management of cognitive impairment in cancer patients were considered for inclusion.
Results: A total of 4 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Four RCTs with a total of 290 subjects indicated that meditative/relaxation interventions significantly improved subjective cognitive function of cancer patients. The weighted mean difference was 5.29 (95% CI: 2.97, 7.61). The overall effect of Z score was 4.47 (P < 0.001). The meditative/relaxation-based interventions had positive effects on the physical and mental QOL (quality of life) of cancer patients. Although the improvement of physical QOL was in favor of interventions, there is no statistically significant difference (Z score = 1.81, P = 0.07). For the effects of meditative/relaxation interventions on metal QOL, there is significantly statistical difference (Z score = 2.99, P = 0.003). All included RCTs had a follow-up assessment within six months.
Conclusion: Mediation-based interventions had statistically significant difference in improve subjective cognitive function and mental QOL in cancer patients. However, since the conclusion of this meta-analysis was drawn based on limited number of RCTs, future research should be conducted to confirm its positive intervention effects.
Keywords: Cancer patients; Cognitive impairment; Meditation; Qigong; Yoga.