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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Breast Cancer Survivors with Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yaad Shergill, D. Rice, Eve-Ling Khoo, V. Jarvis, Tinghua Zhang, Monica Taljaard, K. Wilson, Heather Romanow, B. Glynn, Rebecca Small, Joshua A. Rash, Andra M. Smith, L. Monteiro, Cathy Smyth, Patricia A Poulin

Pain Research and Management July 7, 2022 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4020550 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 98
Population Breast cancer survivors with chronic neuropathic pain
Intervention Waitlist control
Duration 3 months post-intervention
Measures Pain interference, emotional function, quality of life, global impression of change
Topics Meditation
Key findings No significant differences were found between the MBSR group and waitlist control on the primary outcome of reduced pain interference scores at three months post-intervention, nor on secondary outcomes. The authors conclude that group-based MBSR did not provide significant benefits for managing CNP.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of group-delivered mindfulness-based stress reduction as compared to a waitlist control group among breast cancer survivors living with CNP.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was applied, and outcomes collected included pain, emotional function, quality of life, and global impression of change.

Results: A total of 98 women were randomized and included in analyses. The sample included 49 women in the mindfulness-based stress reduction group, and 49 women in the waitlist control group. The intervention group participants (mean age 51.3 years, standard deviation = 11.4) and waitlist participants (mean age 55.1 years, standard deviation = 9.6) reported an average pain duration of approximately three years. No significant differences were found on the primary outcome of the proportions of women with reduced pain interference scores from the time of randomization to 3 months after the intervention was received. No significant changes were found among secondary outcomes.

Conclusion: Our randomized clinical trial did not find significant benefits of group-based mindfulness-based stress reduction for the management of CNP. The current study findings should be replicated and are important to consider given ongoing concerns that nonsignificant results of mindfulness-based stress reduction are often unpublished.

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

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