Feasibility of the mobile mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer (mMBSR(BC)) program for symptom improvement among breast cancer survivors.
Cecile A Lengacher, Richard R Reich, Sophia Ramesar, Carissa B Alinat, Manolete Moscoso, Lakeshia Cousin, Victoria R Marino, Maya N Elias, Carly L Paterson, Michelle L Pleasant, Carmen S Rodriguez, Hsiao-Lan Wang, Kevin E Kip, Hongdao Meng, Jong Y Park
Psycho-oncology February 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4491 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA pilot study tested a mobile mindfulness-based stress reduction program (mMBSR(BC)) delivered via iPad to breast cancer survivors. Among 15 female survivors (stages 0-III) who had completed treatment, 13 completed the 6-week program. Significant improvements from baseline to week 6 were observed in depression, state anxiety, stress, fear of recurrence, sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life, with medium to large effect sizes. The program appears feasible and acceptable, offering a convenient way to reduce symptom burden during survivorship.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Single group pre-posttest design Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Female stages 0-III breast cancer survivors who completed treatment |
| Intervention | mobile mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer (mMBSR(BC)) |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Breast cancer survivors Mobile-based Quality of life Symptom managment |
| Key finding | The mMBSR(BC) program was associated with significant improvements in psychological and physical symptoms and quality of life from baseline to 6 weeks. |
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of delivering the mobile mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer (mMBSR(BC)) program using an iPad and to evaluate its impact on symptom improvement. A single group, pre-posttest design was implemented among female stages 0-III breast cancer survivors (BCS) who completed treatment. Data were collected at baseline and week 6 on measures of psychological and physical symptoms and quality of life. The mMBSR(BC) program is a standardized, stress-reducing intervention that combines sitting and walking meditation, body scan, and yoga and is designed to deliver weekly 2-hour sessions for 6 weeks using an iPad. The mean age of the 15 enrolled BCS was 57 years; one participant was non-Hispanic black, and 14 were non-Hispanic white. Of the 13 who completed the study, there were significant improvements from baseline to 6 weeks post-mMBSR(BC) in psychological and physical symptoms of depression, state anxiety, stress, fear of recurrence, sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life (P's < .05). Effect sizes for improvements of multiple symptoms ranged from medium to large. These results provide preliminary support that the mMBSR(BC) program may be feasible and acceptable, showing a clinical impact on decreasing psychological and physical symptoms. This mobile-based program offers a delivery of a standardized MBSR(BC) intervention to BCS that is convenient for their own schedule while decreasing symptom burden in the survivorship phase after treatment for breast cancer.