Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40828425›Full record

SynthesisSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2025

Mindfulness-based interventions for addressing sexual function after cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lauren A Zimmaro, Andrew Nicklawsky, Stephen J Lepore, Jennifer B Reese

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Lauren A ZimmaroDepartment of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. lauren.zimmaro@cuanschutz.edu.
Andrew NicklawskyUniversity of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Stephen J LeporeDepartment of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Jennifer B ReeseFox Chase Cancer Center, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Funding

WORD PROCESSING CENTER--COREP30CA006927 · NCI · RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR · PI Eric Andrew Ross · 1985 to 2026
$138.8M
University of Colorado Cancer Center Support Grant - Lung Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts with Autologous Human Immune SystemsP30CA046934 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI James V Degregori · 1988 to 2026
$117.0M
Addressing Colorectal Cancer-Related Distress: Developing and Evaluating a Couple-Based Mindfulness InterventionK08CA267313 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI Lauren A. Zimmaro · 2022 to 2026
$847k
NCI NIH HHS K08 CA267313NCI NIH HHS K08CA267313NCI NIH HHS P30 CA006927NCI NIH HHS P30CA006927NCI NIH HHS P30 CA046934NCI NIH HHS P30CA046934
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeCancer treatment often results in sexual dysfunction, and while mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) could be well-suited to treat these issues, the characteristics and efficacy of MBIs on sexual function in cancer populations have not been fully examined. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to describe and evaluate the efficacy of MBIs for alleviating sexual problems in cancer survivors.

methodsDatabases were searched for experimental and quasi-experimental MBI trials using validated sexual function measures and conducted among cancer survivors. Independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment (JBI-RCT/NR checklists). Study characteristics and effect sizes were synthesized and described; random effects models were used to calculate within-group mean differences and perform meta-analyses as appropriate.

resultsTwelve trials were eligible. Most showed a low/moderate risk of bias (75%, n = 9/12) and were conducted exclusively in women (66%, n = 8/12). All twelve studies reported improvements in at least one domain of sexual function from pre-to-post-MBI, with 75% of trials (n = 9/12) reporting positive effects across all sexual functioning domains. Effect sizes varied across study characteristics. Single-arm trials (50%, n = 6/12) were all conducted on sexual function-specific MBIs and showed the largest effect sizes, whereas RCTs (50%, n = 6/12) were mainly conducted on MBIs without sexual function-specific content and showed less robust effects. Meta-analyses of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) revealed significant and clinically meaningful improvements in women's sexual functioning (FSFI mean difference [95% CI]: total = 4.74 [2.54, 6.93]; desire = 0.68 [0.42, 0.95]; arousal = 0.89 [0.53, 1.25]; lubrication = 0.70 [0.25, 1.16]; orgasm = 0.79 [0.28, 1.31]; satisfaction = 0.70 [0.28, 1.11]; pain = 0.60 [0.29, 0.91]).

conclusionsMBIs hold promise for improving sexual function after cancer, particularly for women. However, rigorous RCT designs and enhanced diversity within study populations are necessary to address remaining knowledge gaps and substantiate efficacy.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsMindfulnessNeoplasmsSexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalSexual Dysfunctions, PsychologicalFemaleHumansMaleCancerMeta-analysisMindfulnessMindfulness-based interventionsSexual functionSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40828425
PMCPMC13086506

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.