Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients

Background: Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance are common problems that greatly affect quality of life for many myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients. App-based mindfulness meditation is a feasible nonpharmacologic approach for managing symptoms. However, previous research has not consi...

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Main Authors: Megan E. Puzia MS, Jennifer Huberty PhD, Ryan Eckert MS, Linda Larkey PhD, Ruben Mesa MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-06-01
Series:Integrative Cancer Therapies
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735420927780
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author Megan E. Puzia MS
Jennifer Huberty PhD
Ryan Eckert MS
Linda Larkey PhD
Ruben Mesa MD
author_facet Megan E. Puzia MS
Jennifer Huberty PhD
Ryan Eckert MS
Linda Larkey PhD
Ruben Mesa MD
author_sort Megan E. Puzia MS
collection DOAJ
description Background: Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance are common problems that greatly affect quality of life for many myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients. App-based mindfulness meditation is a feasible nonpharmacologic approach for managing symptoms. However, previous research has not considered how patients’ overall mental health may influence their responsiveness to these interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct an exploratory, secondary analysis of the effects of a smartphone meditation app, Calm, on depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in MPN patients based on patients’ baseline levels of Global Mental Health (GMH). Methods: Participants (N = 80) were a subset of MPN patients from a larger feasibility study. Patients were enrolled into an intervention (use Calm for 10 minutes daily for 4 weeks) or educational control group. Results: In multilevel models, there were significant 3-way interactions between time, group, and baseline GMH for depression and anxiety symptoms, with participants in the meditation intervention who reported the poorest baseline GMH experiencing the greatest reduction in symptoms over time. For both intervention and control participants, poorer initial GMH was associated with increases in sleep disturbance symptoms over time. Conclusions: Mindfulness meditation apps, such as Calm, may be effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in MPN patients, particularly for those experiencing mental health difficulties. Given the need for accessible tools to self-manage chronic cancer–related symptoms, especially strong negative emotions, these findings warrant larger efficacy studies to determine the effects of app-based meditation for alleviating depression and anxiety in cancer populations.
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spelling doaj.art-d383d4327774478bb785e50a4d542dfb2022-12-21T23:52:29ZengSAGE PublishingIntegrative Cancer Therapies1534-73541552-695X2020-06-011910.1177/1534735420927780Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm PatientsMegan E. Puzia MS0Jennifer Huberty PhD1Ryan Eckert MS2Linda Larkey PhD3Ruben Mesa MD4Behavioral Research and Analytics, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT, USAArizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USAUT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, San Antonio, TX, USAArizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USAUT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, San Antonio, TX, USABackground: Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance are common problems that greatly affect quality of life for many myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients. App-based mindfulness meditation is a feasible nonpharmacologic approach for managing symptoms. However, previous research has not considered how patients’ overall mental health may influence their responsiveness to these interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct an exploratory, secondary analysis of the effects of a smartphone meditation app, Calm, on depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in MPN patients based on patients’ baseline levels of Global Mental Health (GMH). Methods: Participants (N = 80) were a subset of MPN patients from a larger feasibility study. Patients were enrolled into an intervention (use Calm for 10 minutes daily for 4 weeks) or educational control group. Results: In multilevel models, there were significant 3-way interactions between time, group, and baseline GMH for depression and anxiety symptoms, with participants in the meditation intervention who reported the poorest baseline GMH experiencing the greatest reduction in symptoms over time. For both intervention and control participants, poorer initial GMH was associated with increases in sleep disturbance symptoms over time. Conclusions: Mindfulness meditation apps, such as Calm, may be effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in MPN patients, particularly for those experiencing mental health difficulties. Given the need for accessible tools to self-manage chronic cancer–related symptoms, especially strong negative emotions, these findings warrant larger efficacy studies to determine the effects of app-based meditation for alleviating depression and anxiety in cancer populations.https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735420927780
spellingShingle Megan E. Puzia MS
Jennifer Huberty PhD
Ryan Eckert MS
Linda Larkey PhD
Ruben Mesa MD
Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
Integrative Cancer Therapies
title Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
title_full Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
title_fullStr Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
title_full_unstemmed Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
title_short Associations Between Global Mental Health and Response to an App-Based Meditation Intervention in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients
title_sort associations between global mental health and response to an app based meditation intervention in myeloproliferative neoplasm patients
url https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735420927780
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