RCT of an Online MBSR Intervention with Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Jennifer Hydeman, Carrie Ernhout, Kristopher Attwood, Chi-Chen Hong
preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1405835/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The 6-week online MBSR intervention significantly improved mindfulness and several psychological and quality-of-life indices in metastatic breast cancer patients, but did not affect biomarkers of stress or inflammation. |
Abstract
Abstract PurposeThe diagnosis and treatment of cancer can result in an array of psychological and physical sequelae for patients. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a well-validated intervention aimed at reducing emotional distress and improving long-term treatment effects in cancer patients. Further studies employing more powerful control group designs are needed to validate MBSR in patients with advanced disease and in novel clinical settings that facilitate enrollment. Patients diagnosed with metastatic disease are highly impacted by their disease and treatment and are an under-examined high-risk population.
Methods: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a 6-week modified online MBSR intervention in improving psychological and physical symptoms associated with quality-of-life, as well as biomarkers associated with their disease trajectory, in patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Results: The 6-week online intervention was found to significantly improve measures of mindfulness and several psychological/quality of life indices. There were no intervention effects on biomarkers of stress or inflammation, although improved levels of mindfulness due to the intervention were negatively correlated with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα. Patients indicated high satisfaction with the content and delivery method of the intervention.
Conclusions: Addressing the multidimensional needs of metastatic patients requires service delivery models that integrate powerful interventions into care settings while minimizing participant burden. This study developed a novel online MBSR treatment for distressed metastatic breast cancer patients that was found to be effective in improving mindfulness and several areas pertinent to patient quality of life.
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 6
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on symptom burden, positive psychological outcomes, and biomarkers in cancer patients Cancer Management and Research June 1, 2015
- The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on immunity-related biomarkers: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review March 2022
- Mindfulness for the Self-Management of Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer Integrative Cancer Therapies 2015
- Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for survivors of breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology December 2009
and 1 more in the library