A Large Randomized Trial: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Breast Cancer (BC) Survivors on Salivary Cortisol and IL-6
Biological Research for Nursing August 5, 2018 C. Lengacher, R. Reich, C. Paterson et al.
A 6-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program for breast cancer (MBSR(BC)) reduced the stress hormone cortisol and the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6) immediately after class sessions in breast cancer survivors. Cortisol levels dropped from before to after class at both Week 1 and Week 6, and IL-6 decreased from before to after class at Week 6. However, no differences in cortisol or IL-6 were found between the MBSR(BC) group and a usual-care control group when comparing measurements taken at the start and end of the 6-week program. Small but significant links were seen between IL-6 levels and symptoms and quality of life across both groups. The results suggest MBSR(BC) can produce short-term reductions in these biological stress markers.