Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
January 14, 2020
Rebecca Erwin Wells, Elizabeth K. Seng, Robert R Edwards et al.
74 citations
Migraine is a leading cause of disability, and many patients cannot use or afford medications. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), offer a potential non-pharmacological treatment. Most research to date consists of small pilot trials with limited rigor, but initial evidence suggests improvements in headache-related disability and psychological well-being. Many questions remain about optimal dosage, duration, delivery, and which patients benefit most. Mindfulness will not cure migraine but may help patients engage in valued activities as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Global advances in integrative medicine and health
January 1, 2024
David Victorson, Kavita K Mishra, Joseph Sauer et al.
4 citations
Brief audio-based mindfulness meditation delivered during daily radiation therapy for prostate cancer is feasible, acceptable, and may reduce fatigue, sleep disturbance, and intolerance of uncertainty. In a randomized trial, 76% of approached men enrolled; the final program retained 89% of participants. Compared to a relaxing music control, those receiving mindfulness showed significantly less uncertainty intolerance at 4 weeks and significantly lower fatigue and sleep disturbance scores at 3 months follow-up. The audio recordings were delivered daily starting week 2 of radiation for 4 weeks. The findings suggest such self-management approaches hold potential to alleviate common side effects of prostate cancer radiation therapy.
Sleep
October 11, 2024
Jennifer M Mundt, Phyllis C Zee, Matthew D Schuiling et al.
3 citations
A remote mindfulness-based intervention adapted for narcolepsy was tested in three program lengths: brief (4 weeks), standard (8 weeks), and extended (12 weeks) among 60 adults with narcolepsy. Attendance, meditation practice, and data completeness benchmarks were met by 71.7%, 61.7%, and 78.3% of participants, respectively. All groups showed clinically meaningful improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-efficacy for managing emotions, positive psychosocial impact, global mental health, and fatigue. Standard and extended groups also improved anxiety and depression; the extended group additionally improved social and cognitive functioning, daytime sleepiness, hypersomnia symptoms, and hypersomnia-related functioning. The extended program appears to offer the most clinical benefit while maintaining engagement.
Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology
May 20, 2026
Karen Llave, Christina Sauer, Shruti Parthasarathy et al.
Among young adult cancer survivors (average age 32.6, mostly female and White), an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course was linked to meaningful improvements in psychosocial and physical symptoms. Nearly half showed meaningful improvement in pain interference and fatigue, and more than half improved in depression and anxiety. Qualitative reflections from participants indicated that increased bodily awareness, a more positive relationship with the body, and learning mindfulness skills were associated with these improvements. The findings suggest that combining structured questionnaires with open-ended reflections can capture the benefits of mindfulness interventions.