Study protocol on comparative effectiveness of mindfulness meditation and qigong on psychophysiological outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial

Rainbow T H Ho, Adrian H Y Wan, Jessie S M Chan, S M Ng, K F Chung, Cecilia L W Chan, Rainbow T H Ho, Adrian H Y Wan, Jessie S M Chan, S M Ng, K F Chung, Cecilia L W Chan

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer imposes threats to patients' well-being. Although most physical symptoms can be managed by medication, psychosocial stressors may complicate survival and hamper quality of life. Mindfulness and Qigong, two kinds of mind-body exercise rooted in Eastern health philosophy, has been found effective in symptoms management, improving mental health, and reducing stress. With these potential benefits, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is planned to investigate the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness and Baduanjin intervention on the bio-psychosocial wellbeing of people with colorectal cancer.

Methods/ design: A 3-arm RCT with waitlist control design will be used in this study. One hundred eighty-nine participants will be randomized into (i) Mindfulness, (ii) Baduanjin, or (iii) waitlist control groups. Participants in both the Baduanjin and mindfulness groups will receive 8-weeks of specific intervention. All three groups will undergo four assessment phases: (i) at baseline, (ii) at 4-week, (iii) at 8-week (post-intervention), and 6-month post-intervention (maintenance). All participants will be assessed in terms of cancer-related symptoms and symptom distress, mental health status, quality of life, stress level based on physiological marker.

Discussion: Based on prior research studies, participants in both the mindfulness and Baduanjn intervention group are expected to have better symptoms management, lower stress level, better mental health, and higher level of quality of life than the control group. This study contributes to better understanding on the common and unique effectiveness of mindfulness and Baduanjin qigong, as such patients and qualified healthcare professionals can select or provide practices which will produce maximum benefits, satisfaction, adherence, and sustainability.

Trial registration: The trial has been registered in the Clinical Trials Centre of the University of Hong Kong ( HKCTR-2198 ) on 08 March 2017.

Keywords: Baduanjin; Colorectal cancer; Mindfulness; Qigong; Randomized controlled trial (RCT); Salivary cortisol.

Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This research will perform in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and ethical approval has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong/ Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (HKU/HA HKW IRB) (IRB Reference Number: UW 15-115). Written informed consent were obtained from all participants in prior to any data collection, randomization, and data analysis.

Consent for publication

Not applicable. There are no details on individuals to be reported within the manuscript.

Competing interests

This study is funded by the General Research Fund, Research Grants Council (GRF/ HKU 17611615). The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT diagram of intervention and waitlist control groups and data collection points

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