Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on rumination in patients with breast cancer.
Razieh Bagherzadeh, Rezvan Sohrabineghad, Taiebeh Gharibi, Farkhondeh Mehboodi, Hakimeh Vahedparast
BMC Women's Health December 28, 2022 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-02124-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Female breast cancer survivors in Bushehr, Iran, at least three months after last chemotherapy or radiotherapy |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Duration | Eight sessions; one-month follow-up |
| Measures | rumination questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Breast cancer Mindfulness-based stress reduction Rumination Women |
| Key findings | Rumination scores in the MBSR group showed no significant change across pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up, while control-group scores rose significantly from pretest to posttest and follow-up (P < 0.001; follow-up vs posttest P = 0.02). Between-group comparisons adjusted for baseline favored MBSR at posttest (P = 0.01) and follow-up (P < 0.001). The authors attribute the experimental group's ability to avoid increased rumination to mindfulness training. |
Abstract
Breast cancer has been a serious public health dilemma for women worldwide, with not only physical and social impairments but also psychological stress responses such as rumination. Rumination is a constant preoccupation with thoughts. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction training in lowering rumination among women diagnosed with breast cancer. This randomized controlled trial with a pretest, posttest, control group, and one-month follow-up design included 46 female breast cancer survivors, recruited from the clinics and hematology wards of Bushehr, Iran. The inclusion criterion was that at least three months should have passed since the last chemotherapy/radiotherapy. The participants were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of mindfulness-based stress reduction training. A demographic information form and a rumination questionnaire were used for data collection, and the participants completed the questionnaire in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and repeated-measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the rumination scores of the experimental group at three measurement stages. For the control group, the mean rumination scores on the posttest and follow-up were both significantly higher than on the pre-test (P < 0.001). The control group's mean follow-up rumination score was significantly higher than that of the post-test (P = 0.02). A comparison of the two groups adjusted for the baseline showed a significant difference between them in terms of the mean rumination score on the post-test (P = 0.01) and follow-up (P < 0.001). The experimental group was more successful in avoiding increased rumination than the control group, an ability that can be attributed to the effect of mindfulness training. The use of this method is recommended because it is non-invasive, non-pharmacological, free from complications, and can be easily performed by women. However, future studies should consider larger samples and long-term follow-ups.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction training supplemented with physiological signals from smartwatch improves mindfulness and reduces stress, but not anxiety and depression. PLoS One 2025
- Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Sleep, Fatigue, and Pain in Distressed People After Cancer Treatment: A Partially Randomized Patient-Preference Comparative Effectiveness Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology September 16, 2026
- The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety and sleep quality in informal family caregivers of cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Nursing November 6, 2025
- Innovating Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Delivery in Cancer Care: Enhancing Accessibility and Engagement Clinical Cancer Investigation Journal 2024
Cites 5
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- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer patients: a mixed method study on what patients experience as a suitable stage to participate. Supportive Care in Cancer October 2017
- Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on attention, rumination and resting blood pressure in women with cancer: a waitlist-controlled study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine June 2012