Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer Patients Delivered via Internet: Qualitative Study of Patient and Therapist Barriers and Facilitators
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The number of patients living with cancer is growing, and a substantial number of patients suffer from psychological distress. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) seem effective in alleviating psychological distress. Unfortunately, several cancer patients find it difficult, if not impossible, to attend a group-based course. Internet-based MBIs (eMBIs) such as Internet-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT) may offer solutions. However, it is yet to be studied what facilitators and barriers cancer patients experience during eMBCT. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers of individual asynchronous therapist-assisted eMBCT as experienced by both patients and therapists. METHODS: Patients with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses suffering from psychological distress were offered eMBCT. This 9-week intervention mirrored the group-based MBCT protocol and included weekly asynchronous written therapist feedback. Patients were granted access to a website that contained the eMBCT protocol and a secured inbox, and they were asked to practice and fill out diaries on which the therapist provided feedback. In total, 31 patients participated in an individual posttreatment interview on experienced facilitators and barriers during eMBCT. Moreover, eight therapists were interviewed. The data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators in eMBCT. RESULTS: Both patients and therapists mentioned four overarching themes as facilitators and barriers: treatment setting (the individual and Internet-based nature of the treatment), treatment format (how the treatment and its guidance were organized and delivered), role of the therapist, and individual patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The eMBCT provided flexibility in when, where, and how patients and therapists engage in MBCT. Future studies should assess how different eMBCT designs could further improve barriers that were found.
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In post-treatment interviews from the BeMind study, a proportion of patients were less satisfied with the asynchronicity of responses and reported lacking peer support during eMBCT.
“Post-treatment interviews revealed that although some participants reported liking the flexibility in where, how, and when to participate in the online version, a proportion of patients were less satisfied with the asynchronicity of the responses and reported lacking peer support during eMBCT [7].”
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- Authors
- Compen, F. R., Bisseling, E. M., Schellekens, M. P., Jansen, E. T., van der Lee, M. L., & Speckens, A. E.
- Affiliations
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Compen, Félix R
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Medical Internet Research
- Publisher
- JMIR Publications Inc.
- Published
- 2017-12-18
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- e407
- ISSN
- 1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5748478
- OpenAlex
- W2778154020
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 4.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Keywords
- mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, online intervention, cancer patients, psychological distress, barriers and facilitators, personalized treatment, therapist role, patient characteristics, online therapy
- MeSH terms
- Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Telemedicine, Internet, Qualitative Research, Mindfulness
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