Predictors and moderators of outcomes in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for early breast cancer patients.
Noriko Tamura, Sunre Park, Yasunori Sato, Yasuko Sato, Yuka Takita, Akira Ninomiya, Mitsuhiro Sado, Masaru Mimura, Daisuke Fujisawa
Palliative & Supportive Care April 2022 DOI: 10.1017/s147895152100078x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 74 |
| Population | Breast cancer patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | Eight sessions |
| Measures | Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Breast cancer Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Moderator Predictor Treatment adherence |
| Key findings | Better program adherence, represented by attendance, significantly predicted both remission and response to MBCT, while sociodemographic and clinical characteristics did not. Remission rate exceeded 50% only after the seventh session, and response rate became significant at that point. |
Abstract
To deliver mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) efficiently, the present study aimed (1) to identify predictors and moderators of patients who benefit from MBCT for psychological distress and (2) to explore the initial treatment reaction to identify the optimal number of sessions that produce a significant clinical effect. This is the secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of MBCT for breast cancer patients (N = 74). We classified the participants into remitters vs. non-remitters, and responder vs. non-responders, according to the total score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at the end of the intervention. We conducted multivariate analyses to explore for predictors of response and remission. We adopted generalized estimating equations to explore the optimal number of sessions. Sociodemographic and clinical backgrounds did not have significant influence on the treatment outcomes of the MBCT. Better program adherence, which was represented as the participants' better attendance to the MBCT program, was a significant predictor of both remission and response [odds ratio (OR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.89, p = 0.003, and OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.12-2.65, p = 0.013, respectively]. It was not until seventh session that the remission rate exceeded 50% and the response rate showed significance. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics did not significantly influence the treatment outcomes, while homework minutes and class attendance had significant effects on treatment outcomes. This implies that MBCT is recommended to any cancer patient, if he/she is motivated to the program, regardless of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Patients are encouraged to attend a standard MBCT program (eight sessions) and do the assigned homework as intensely as possible. Further studies with larger sample and objective measurements are desired.
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 7
- Exploring the Effects of Variety and Amount of Mindfulness Practices on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms: Longitudinal Study on a Mental Health-Focused eHealth System for Patients With Breast or Prostate Cancer. JMIR Mental Health November 21, 2024
- The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Disease Perception, Body Image, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Women with Breast Cancer Journal of Health Reports and Technology July 15, 2023
- Toward precision mindfulness: Predicting mindfulness outcomes after Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction using interpretable machine learning Behaviour Research and Therapy August 19, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C): A Clinical Approach for Teaching Mindfulness to Children Neuromethods 2026
- Long-term treatment outcomes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 1, 2024
and 2 more in the library
Cites 18
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs PLoS One April 16, 2015
and 13 more in the library