Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
XiaoQian Lan, HongMei Xie, Lan Fu, WenTao Peng
Frontiers in Oncology 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1425563 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,992 |
| Population | Breast cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week MBSR program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Anticancer treatment Breast cancer Cancer-related fatigue Meta-analysis Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Key findings | Across 13 randomized controlled trials, MBSR significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients compared with conventional care (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI [-0.42, -0.22]). The authors report the 8-week expert-supervised program had a notable effect, especially in Asian populations, with no obvious adverse effects, and conclude MBSR can be recommended as a beneficial adjuvant therapy for this fatigue. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been widely used for improving psychological symptoms and sleep quality in breast cancer patients and has a positive impact on posttraumatic growth and immunology. Moreover, MBSR is increasingly being used in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) intervention studies for breast cancer patients, but conflicting results also exist. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MBSR on CRF in patients with breast cancer. A comprehensive computer search of the Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China Biomedical Document Service System, China Knowledge Infrastructure Engineering, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP databases was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before April 10, 2023, were identified. The primary outcome was cancer-related fatigue associated with breast cancer. Two researchers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and evaluated the methodological quality of the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Meta-analysis of the outcome indicators was performed using STATA 16.0 software. A total of 13 studies were included, including 1992 patients (997 patients in the MBSR group and 1015 patients in the control group). Compared with conventional care, MBSR significantly alleviated the symptoms of CRF in breast cancer patients (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI [-0.42, -0.22], z=6.54, p<.01). Under the supervision of experts, the 8-week MBSR had a great influence on CRF, especially in the Asian population. MBSR is effective in the treatment of CRF induced by breast cancer, and no obvious adverse effects occur; thus, MBSR can be recommended as a beneficial adjuvant therapy for treating CRF in breast cancer patients. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021245365.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Enhances Quality of Life and Positive Psychological Traits Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial Mindfulness 2026
- Intervention effects of subconscious cultivation in mindfulness-based physical education teaching and training on pain perception and psychological resilience in advanced cancer patients Psycho-Oncologie December 17, 2025
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and functional recovery in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A prospective study Psycho-Oncologie September 29, 2025
- Rapid Reduction in Cancer Worry Through a Mindfulness-based Coping Programme: Evidence from a Randomised Trial with Women Awaiting Biopsy Results. Seminars in Oncology Nursing June 27, 2026
- Linking Qualitative Mindfulness Reflections During MBSR to Meaningful Improvement in PROMIS Scores in a Young Adult Cancer Survivor Sample: The Role of Bodily Awareness. Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology May 20, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 13
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- Mindfulness-based stress reduction can alleviate cancer- related fatigue: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 27, 2019
- Mindfulness based stress reduction provides psychological benefit and restores immune function of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized trial with active control. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity August 1, 2019
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and 8 more in the library