Mindfulness-based stress reduction training and supplemented Jinshui Liujun decoction promote recovery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Conventional chemotherapy (CC) administered to patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often causes adverse effects, such as cardiopulmonary dysfunction and immune system imbalance. Patients may experience anxiety and depression during the perioperative period due to various factors, such as treatment costs and cancer recurrence risks, thereby compromising the overall quality of life. Consequently, we hypothesized that integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction training (MSRT) with Jinshui Liujun decoction may mitigate negative emotions and promote recovery in patients with NSCLC.

Aim: To explore the effects of MSRT and Jinshui Liujun decoction on the immune function and emotional state of NSCLC patients.

Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted involving 92 patients with stage IIIb-IV NSCLC; 35 patients in the control group (CG) received CC therapy (combination of pemetrexed and carboplatin), and 57 patients in the treatment group (TG) received MSRT-assisted flavored Jinshui Liujun decoction (FJLD) in addition to CC. We evaluated the survival time, Karnofsky performance status, treatment efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, immune function, negative emotional level, and adverse reactions of the CG and TG.

Results: Median progression-free survival, Karnofsky performance status, and clinical efficacy of the TG were superior to those of the CG (P < 0.05). Symptoms of cough, weakness, bloody sputum, shortness of breath, and chest pain significantly decreased in the TG compared to that in the CG (P < 0.05). In the TG, MSRT + FJLD treatment increased the numbers of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ immune cells, effectively reduced the number of CD8⁺ cells, and enhanced the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, thereby restoring the immune function of patients. In the TG, the self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale scores decreased significantly. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the CG and TG (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: MSRT + FJLD proved to be an effective treatment for patients with NSCLC.