The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Meditation on the Immune Function of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis.
Meng Yu, Yu-Chang Jin, Jun-Xiu An, Peixuan Zheng
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106396 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and three-level random-effects meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 991 |
| Population | Cancer patients, primarily breast cancer (>87%) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based meditation showed a small significant effect on immune function in randomized trial post-test data (g = 0.100, p = .026), but the effect was non-significant when pre-post data from randomized and single-group studies were pooled (g = 0.067, p = .114). The authors suggest meditation may modestly regulate immune function by reducing inflammation, increasing immune cell counts and activity, and potentially promoting telomere length and activity. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based meditation has been proposed as a complementary approach to support immune function in cancer patients, yet its biological effects remain unclear and heterogeneous across biomarkers. This study systematically reviewed and quantitatively synthesized empirical evidence using a three-level random-effects meta-analysis to account for statistical dependence among multiple effect sizes. A systematic search through December 2024 identified 11 reports (9 unique studies) with 110 effect sizes (N = 991). Eligible studies involved cancer patients (primarily breast cancer, >87%) undergoing mindfulness-based meditation interventions and reporting immune-related biomarkers. Hedges' g was used to calculate effect sizes. In the first-round analysis, based on RCT post-test data, mindfulness-based meditation showed a small but significant effect on immune function (g = 0.100, p =.026, 95% CI [0.012, 0.188]). The second-round analysis, incorporating pre-post data from both RCTs and single-group studies, yielded a non-significant effect (g = 0.067, p =.114, 95% CI [-0.016, 0.150]). Among tested moderators, only country significantly influenced effect sizes, whereas intervention duration, intervention type, and biomarker type did not. These findings suggest that mindfulness-based meditation may modestly regulate immune function in cancer patients by reducing inflammation, increasing immune cell counts and activity, and potentially promoting telomere length and activity. More rigorously designed studies with standardized biomarker reporting and more diverse populations are needed to clarify its therapeutic potential.