Influence of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Telomerase Activity in Women With Breast Cancer (BC)
Biological Research for Nursing January 30, 2014 C. Lengacher, R. Reich, K. Kip et al.
In a randomized, wait-list controlled study of 142 breast cancer survivors, a 6-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program for breast cancer (MBSR-BC) increased telomerase activity in blood cells by about 17% over 12 weeks, compared with about 3% in the usual-care control group. Telomere length did not differ between groups. The authors suggest these results provide preliminary evidence that MBSR-BC may enhance cellular longevity, though they note the findings are preliminary.