Children and the Mind/Body Connection Mindfulness-Based Practice with Children Who Have Cancer

Abstract

In recent years, clinicians have increased their use of mindfulness-based practice and have extended its use to the treatment of adults who have cancer. Although research has demonstrated the physical and psychological benefits of these practices with adult cancer patients and with children in the general population, there is little research specifically on the use of mindfulness-based practices with children who have cancer. This article first explores existing research on the use of mindfulness-based practices with both adults who have cancer and children in the general population. The article then provides examples of cancer organizations using mindfulness-based practices in the treatment of children who have cancer. Last, the author provides recommendations for group mindfulness-based programs designed for children who have cancer in outpatient or community-based settings and discusses the role of social workers in facilitating the research and implementation of such programs.