Mindfulness-Based Psychoeducation for Women With Gynecological Cancer

Gynecological cancers, including cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, and fallopian tubes, affect women's physical, psychological, and social well-being. Women diagnosed with cancer often experience emotional distress, uncertainty about the future, fear of recurrence, and difficulties coping with the disease and treatment process. These challenges may negatively affect psychological well-being, hope, coping abilities, and quality of life.

Mindfulness-based interventions have increasingly been used to support psychological adjustment and coping among individuals with chronic illnesses, including cancer. Mindfulness focuses on cultivating present-moment awareness in a nonjudgmental manner and helps individuals regulate emotions, reduce stress, and enhance adaptive coping strategies. Evidence from previous studies indicates that mindfulness-based psychoeducational interventions can improve psychological well-being, strengthen coping abilities, and increase hope and quality of life among cancer patients.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation program for women diagnosed with gynecological cancer. Eligible participants receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive an eight-session mindfulness-based psychoeducation program delivered weekly in small groups consisting of approximately four to five participants. Sessions will be conducted online via secure videoconferencing platforms and will be guided by the researcher.

Data will be collected at four time points: baseline (before the intervention), immediately after the intervention, and at three-month and six-month follow-ups. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of supportive psychosocial interventions aimed at improving hope, coping with cancer, quality of life, and psychological well-being among women with gynecological cancer.

Inclusion criteria

• Women who voluntarily agree to participate in the study
• Women aged 18 years and older
• Women diagnosed with gynecological cancer and currently undergoing active treatment (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy)
• Ability to participate in online sessions from home after hospital discharge
• Ability to use a smartphone or similar device to access online sessions
• Having at least basic literacy (able to read and write)
• Expected life expectancy ≥ 12 months, as evaluated by the responsible oncologist

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder that may interfere with participation
• Current use of psychiatric medications
• Previous participation in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or similar mindfulness programs
• Having a physical condition that prevents participation in the intervention sessions
• Presence of communication barriers (e.g., inability to speak Turkish, severe hearing impairment)
• Having a history of previous cancer diagnosis or metastatic disease
• Participants who voluntarily withdraw from the study during the intervention period
• Participation in less than 80% of the intervention sessions (attendance at fewer than 6 out of 8 sessions)
• Discontinuation of treatment or death during the study period