Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and functional recovery in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A prospective study

  • Boxiang Zhang The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
  • Boyang Li The First Clinical School of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
  • Zhiyuan Liang Radiotherapy Department of Guizhou Provincial Tumor Hospital, Guiyang 550002, China
  • Yuanyuan Zhang Radiotherapy Department of Guizhou Provincial Tumor Hospital, Guiyang 550002, China
  • Lucy Yue Lau Department of Public health, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, MA, USA
  • Yi Chen The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
  • Xiangyue Zeng * The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
Article ID: 4522
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18282/po4522
Keywords: psychological distress; head and neck cancer radiotherapy; functional rehabilitation; integrative oncology; emotional resilience; behavioral intervention; cancer survivorship; anxiety management

Abstract

Patients with head and neck malignancies frequently experience substantial psychological distress and functional impairment during radiotherapy, yet structured interventions targeting both domains are lacking. This prospective controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) program on anxiety and functional recovery in individuals undergoing curative radiotherapy. A total of 100 eligible patients were enrolled and assigned to either the MBI group or a control group receiving standard care. The MBI group participated in weekly guided sessions and daily home practice. Anxiety and functional status were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Head and Neck (FACT–H&N) questionnaire. Compared to controls, the MBI group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in anxiety and improvements in functional outcomes at both post-treatment and follow-up (P < 0.01). Adherence to the program was high, with 84% of participants completing ≥6 sessions, and satisfaction scores averaged 8.9/10. No adverse events were reported. A moderate negative correlation was observed between anxiety and function at follow-up (r = –0.52, P < 0.01), supporting a dual-benefit effect. These findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions are feasible, well-accepted, and clinically beneficial in reducing emotional distress and supporting functional rehabilitation during radiotherapy. The results advocate for the integration of structured psychosocial approaches into comprehensive cancer care, particularly in high-risk populations.

Published
2025-09-29
How to Cite
Zhang, B., Li, B., Liang, Z., Zhang, Y., Yue Lau, L., Chen, Y., & Xiangyue Zeng. (2025). Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and functional recovery in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A prospective study. Psycho-Oncologie, 19(3), 4522. https://doi.org/10.18282/po4522
Issue
Vol. 19 No. 3 (2025)
Section
Article

Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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