MBCT, Worry and Emotional Flexibility in Cancer - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), anxious worry and emotional flexibility in people with cancer?
IRAS ID
228271
Contact name
Mary Turner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice School of Psychology, Bangor University, UK.
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 22 days
Research summary
The intent of this research is to assess if a group-based psychosocial intervention, namely Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer (MBCT-ca), is effective at reducing a persistent thinking pattern; anxious worry. Additionally, it will test if participation in this course leads to an adaptative response to the challenges of cancer through the process of gaining greater psychological flexibility, increased mindfulness and self-compassion for people living with and beyond cancer.
Worry, the cognitive aspect of anxiety exacerbates uncertainty and distress for people with cancer due to its persistently negative, judgmental and catastrophizing qualities. More recent psychological thinking indicates that by engaging with strategies that promote psychological flexibility such as mindfulness and acceptance, which reduce distress, an adaptive and resilient response to the unpredictability of cancer and life beyond may be facilitated (Hulbert-Williams, & Storey, 2016). Psychological flexibility promotes a personal shift to a ‘willingness to experience’ and be in full contact with the present without a need to engage with habitual avoidant strategies to unwanted internal experiences. These strategies, such as thought suppression or control, paradoxically only increase what a person tries to avoid.
The research will use a set of psychological questionnaires which measure a participant's personal appraisal of worry, anxiety, psychological inflexibility (experiential avoidance), mindfulness skills and self-compassion. The study will involve two pooled MBCT-ca groups and the measures will be tested at three-time points during the eight-week course (pre, middle, end). It will investigate whether a change occurs and, if so, at what time point and how significant, and if a cumulative effect on psychological outcomes is transparent. People with a cancer diagnosis who attend the West London Maggie’s cancer support centre, a charitable organization, will have the opportunity to take part in the study.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0017
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion