Influence of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Telomerase Activity in Women With Breast Cancer (BC)
C. Lengacher, R. Reich, K. Kip, M. Barta, Sophia Ramesar, C. Paterson, Manolete S. Moscoso, I. Carranza, Pinky H. Budhrani, S. Kim, Hyun Y Park, P. Jacobsen, M. Schell, H. Jim, J. Post-White, J. Farias, Jong Y. Park
Biological Research for Nursing January 30, 2014 DOI: 10.1177/1099800413519495 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a randomized, wait-list controlled study of 142 breast cancer survivors, a 6-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program for breast cancer (MBSR-BC) increased telomerase activity in blood cells by about 17% over 12 weeks, compared with about 3% in the usual-care control group. Telomere length did not differ between groups. The authors suggest these results provide preliminary evidence that MBSR-BC may enhance cellular longevity, though they note the findings are preliminary.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 142 |
| Population | Breast cancer survivors with Stages 0–III cancer who had completed adjuvant treatment |
| Duration | 6-week intervention, assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after completing the program |
| Keywords | Medicine |
| Key finding | MBSR-BC increased telomerase activity by approximately 17% over 12 weeks compared with approximately 3% in controls, with no between-group difference in telomere length. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of recurrence among breast cancer (BC) survivors. However, the effects of MBSR (BC) on telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity (TA), known markers of cellular aging, psychological stress, and disease risk, are not known. This randomized, wait-listed, controlled study, nested within a larger trial, investigated the effects of MBSR (BC) on TL and TA. BC patients (142) with Stages 0–III cancer who had completed adjuvant treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment and within 2 years of completion of treatment with lumpectomy and/or mastectomy were randomly assigned to either a 6-week MBSR for BC program or a usual care. Assessments of TA and TL were obtained along with psychological measurements at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after completing the MBSR(BC) program. The mean age of 142 participants was 55.3 years; 72% were non-Hispanic White; 78% had Stage I or II cancer; and 36% received both chemotherapy and radiation. In analyses adjusted for baseline TA and psychological status, TA increased steadily over 12 weeks in the MBSR(BC) group (approximately 17%) compared to essentially no increase in the control group (approximately 3%, p < .01). In contrast, no between-group difference was observed for TL (p = .92). These results provide preliminary evidence that MBSR(BC) increases TA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BC patients and have implications for understanding how MBSR(BC) may extend cell longevity at the cellular level.