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 S 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)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 points | 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.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- Experiences of Using Digital Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Rapid Scoping Review and Thematic Synthesis. Journal of Medical Internet Research September 28, 2023
- The impact of mindfulness on cancer‐related cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints Cancer January 10, 2023
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognitive impairment in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 2025
- 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
- Effect of Online Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Intervention on Sleep Quality of Breast Cancer Patients Modern Care Journal August 22, 2023
and 13 more in the library
Cites 6
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- Internet-based instructor-led mindfulness for work-related rumination, fatigue, and sleep: Assessing facets of mindfulness as mechanisms of change. A randomized waitlist control trial. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology April 2017
- Examination of Broad Symptom Improvement Resulting From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology August 20, 2016
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and 1 more in the library