The Effect of 5-Minute Mindfulness of Peace on Suffering and Spiritual Well-Being Among Palliative Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized controlled trial
PubMed 33078627 · doi:10.1177/1049909120965944
What was done
Adult palliative care patients with moderate to severe suffering were randomized to either a 5-minute guided mindfulness of peace exercise or a 5-minute active listening control arm. Suffering was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Suffering Pictogram, and spiritual well-being was evaluated with the FACIT-Sp-12 questionnaire.
What was found
Among 40 participants who completed the study, 5-minute mindfulness of peace reduced suffering significantly more than active listening (median change = -3.00, IQR = 2.00 vs. median change = -1.00, IQR = 1.75; U = 73.50, z = -3.48, p = 0.001, η² = 0.31). FACIT-Sp-12 scores for spiritual well-being also improved significantly more in the intervention group than in controls (median change = +5.00, IQR = 2.75 vs. median change = +1.00, IQR = 3.00; U = 95.50, z = -2.85, p = 0.004, η² = 0.21).
Why it matters
This demonstrates that an ultra-brief, 5-minute mindfulness intervention is feasible and capable of providing immediate, acute relief from suffering and enhancing spiritual well-being in palliative care settings.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 40) and outcomes were measured only immediately post-intervention, leaving the duration and clinical durability of the effect unknown. Blinding, specific patient diagnoses, and long-term adherence were not reported in the abstract.