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Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on breast cancer survivors with insomnia: A randomised controlled trial.

Yue Zhao, Jun-E Liu, F. Lewis, Zhi-Hong Nie, Hui Qiu, Jing Han, Ya-li Su, Shen-shen Yang

European Journal of Cancer Care May 19, 2020 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13259 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 136
Population Breast cancer survivors
Duration 8-week intervention, 6-month follow-up
Topics Meditation
Key findings MBCT-I reduced insomnia severity and improved actigraphy-measured sleep in breast cancer survivors compared with a waitlist control, with effects sustained at 6-month follow-up.

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on insomnia (MBCT-I) in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: In total, 136 participants were allocated randomly to a MBCT-I group or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Indicators of insomnia and mindfulness were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index, actigraphy and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2), 3-month follow-up (T3) and 6-month follow-up (T4) time points.

Results: Insomnia severity decreased significantly in the MBCT-I group, compared with the WLC group, at T2, T3 and T4 (all p < .001). We found that 59.6% of the MBCT-I group with moderate and severe insomnia improved to no insomnia and subclinical insomnia at T4 relative to T1, accounting for 7.9% and 55.3%, respectively. Compared with the WLC group, the MBCT-I group improved on actigraphy measures of sleep; they exhibited a pattern of decreased sleep onset latency and waking after sleep onset, as well as increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency. Mindfulness also increased more in the MBCT-I group than in the WLC group at T2, T3 and T4 (all p < .001).

Conclusions: MBCT-I may be an efficacious non-pharmacologic intervention to improve sleep quality in breast cancer survivors.