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.
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
Cited by 15
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Culturally Adapted, Community-Based, Remotely Delivered Mindfulness Program for Latinx Patients With Breast Cancer is Acceptable and Feasible While Reducing Anxiety. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024
- Group-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Reduce Psychological Distress and Improve Sleep in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (MindIBD). Inflammatory bowel diseases July 14, 2025
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on quality of sleep among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 1, 2025
- The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Disease Perception, Body Image, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Women with Breast Cancer Journal of Health Reports and Technology July 15, 2023
- A guided internet-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for insomnia: study protocol for a randomized controlled study. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025
and 10 more in the library
Cites 10
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
- Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation Neuroreport May 1, 2000
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Insomnia Sleep August 29, 2014
and 5 more in the library