Systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness-based interventions for family caregivers of cancer patients

Family caregivers (FCGs) of cancer patients play a critical role in providing emotional and physical support. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly explored as a potential approach to improving the psychological well-being of FCGs. However, the caregiving burden often results in significant psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, and depression. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of MBIs on the stress, anxiety, and depression of FCGs of cancer patients. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, ERIC, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental (QE) studies assessing MBIs' impact on psychological outcomes in FCGs were included. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. A total of 10 studies (5 RCTs and 5 QE studies) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that MBIs significantly reduced anxiety and depression in FCGs of cancer patients compared to usual care or no intervention. Effect sizes varied across studies, with moderate to strong effects observed for anxiety, while depression showed smaller but significant improvements. However, the meta-analysis on stress yielded non-significant results with moderate-to-high heterogeneity. The heterogeneity across studies was moderate, suggesting variability in populations, measurements, intervention formats, duration, and delivery methods. MBIs are effectively improving the psychological well-being of FCGs by reducing anxiety and depression. Given the significant caregiving burden, integrating MBIs into caregiver support programs could enhance their resilience and overall mental health. Future research should explore culturally adapted mindfulness interventions to optimize their applicability in diverse caregiving populations.