Impact of loving-kindness meditation intervention vs. music intervention during biopsy on adherence to recommended breast cancer screening.
Nicole A Arrato, Mary Scott Soo, Anava A Wren, Juliann M Stalls, Dana H Bovbjerg, Francis J Keefe, Rebecca A Shelby
Breast cancer research and treatment July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-025-07721-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Women undergoing core-needle breast biopsy |
| Interventions | Loving-kindness meditation Music |
| Duration | 18-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adherence Breast cancer screening/surveillance Loving-kindness Music medicine |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | A loving-kindness meditation intervention during core-needle breast biopsy led to 90% adherence to subsequent recommended breast imaging, significantly higher than the 69% adherence in the usual care group and the 71% in the music group. |
Abstract
To evaluate the impact of providing a loving-kindness meditation (LKM) intervention vs. a music intervention during core-needle breast biopsy (CNBB) on adherence to subsequent, clinically recommended breast cancer screening and surveillance. Women (N = 120) were randomly assigned to receive LKM, Music, or Usual Care during CNBB. Patients in the LKM or Music groups listened to audio recordings during CNBB and were provided recordings for home use. Utilization of subsequent recommended breast imaging was assessed via health record review for 18 months into the breast cancer surveillance period. The sample was, on average, 53 years old (SD = 12.4), partnered (55%), and employed (56%); 28% Black and 68% White. Adherence to recommended breast imaging post-biopsy was: 69% for Usual Care, 71% for Music, and 90% for LKM. Compared to Usual Care, there was no significant difference in adherence for the Music group (OR = 1.11, 95% CI [0.43, 2.89], p = 0.829), but the LKM group was 3.9 times more likely to be adherent (OR = 3.89, 95% CI [1.13, 13.41], p = 0.032). Comparisons between intervention arms showed adherence for the LKM group was 3.5 times higher than the Music group (OR = 3.50, 95% CI [1.02, 12.00], p = 0.046). Patterns of adherence were similar across women with an abnormal biopsy result and those with a benign result. A LKM intervention initiated during CNBB can have significant, positive impacts on women's adherence to subsequent recommended breast imaging. Providing patients with LKM during CNBB is an easily disseminated approach that could improve adherence to breast cancer screening and surveillance after CNBB.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion October 1, 2008
- The neural mediators of kindness-based meditation: a theoretical model Frontiers in Psychology July 4, 2016
- Imaging-Guided Core-Needle Breast Biopsy: Impact of Meditation and Music Interventions on Patient Anxiety, Pain, and Fatigue. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR May 2016
and 2 more in the library