Table 2 Characteristics of Included Studies- Outcomes Measures

Study

Follow-up

Outcome Measurement (Cognition)

Results

Conclusions

Reich et al. (2017) [25]

Post-intervention (6 weeks) and 12 weeks follow-up

ECog; CAMS-R

ECog Mean (SD) in MBSR(BC) vs. UC; Baseline: 1.75 (0.88) vs. 1.65 (0.74), Week 6: 1.47 (0.71 vs. 1.51 (0.74), Week 12: 1.41 (0.68) vs. 1.50 (0.72)

No significant differences between groups in terms of the cognitive cluster. Significant differences in psychological and fatigue clusters

Rahmani et al. (2015) [24]

Post-intervention (8-weeks) and 2 months post-intervention

EORTC QLQ-C30

Cognitive Function Mean (SD) in MBSR vs. UC; Pre-test: 62.50 (10.4) vs. 59.72 (8.6) vs. Post-test: 75.00 (11.2)** vs. 59.72 (11.1), Follow-up 72.22 (13.0) vs. 61.11 (16.4)

Significantly improved cognition at the post-test follow-up in the MBSR group; improvements not sustained at the 2-month follow-up

Rahmani et al. (2014) [23]

Post-intervention (8 weeks) and 2-months post-intervention

EORTC QLQ-C30

Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up mean differences of cognitive function between MBSR and UC (2.78, 15..28**, 13.89*), between MCT and UC (− 13.89**, 1.39, 0.00) and between MBSR and MCT (16.67***, 13.89*, 13.89*)

Cognitive function increased from the pre-test to the post-test in the MBSR program; results remained relatively stable at follow-up

Lerman et al. (2011)

Post-intervention (8 weeks)

SOSI, EORTC QLQ-C30

Mean difference in cognitive disorder pre-test vs. post-test: 1.04 (p = 0.052)

The cognitive disorder score difference showed improvement in cognition and approached significance; suggests MBSR improved symptoms and QOL

Johns et al. (2015) [17]

Post-intervention (8 weeks) and at 6-month follow-up

AFI, Stroop Test

AFI total and Effective Action at T1, T2, T3 for MBSR vs. UC;

(48.00, 64.64***, 64.83***) vs. (45.83, 52.28*, 55.21**) and (44.88, 63.16***, 62.74***) vs. (43.05, 50.09, 52.53*)

Both groups improved over time, but MBSR participants showed significantly greater and sustained improvements on AFI total score and most subscales.

Dobos et al. (2015) [26]

Post-intervention (11 weeks) and 3-months post-intervention

EORTC QLQ-C30

Pre-, post-, follow-up cognitive function score means (SD); 62.68 (29.2)***, 72.25 (27.0)***, 70.10 (27.7)***

Improvements in cognitive function, sustained at 6-month follow-up. Mindfulness-based interventions considered effective to improve physical and mental health.