Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Breast Cancer Survivors (MBSR (BC)): Evaluating Mediators of Psychological and Physical Outcomes in a Large Randomized Controlled Trial
Cecile A Lengacher, L. Forest Gruss, Kevin E Kip, Richard R Reich, Manolete S Moscoso, Katterine G. Chauca, Anisha Joshi, Pinky Budhrani-Shani, Lakeshia Cousin, Carly Paterson Khan, Matthew Goodman, Jong Y Park
preprint DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.05.20092171 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 322 |
| Population | Female breast cancer survivors over 21 years of age diagnosed with Stage 0-III breast cancer |
| Duration | 6-week program with assessments at weeks 6 and 12 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT01177124 |
| Key findings | Fear of breast cancer recurrence and perceived stress mediated reductions in anxiety and fatigue at weeks 6 and 12 among breast cancer survivors in the MBSR(BC) program, while increased mindfulness did not mediate these outcomes. The authors report these findings only partially support their hypothesized cognitive mechanisms of MBSR(BC). |
Abstract
ABSTRACT: MBSR(BC) is known to have a positive impact on psychological and physical symptoms among breast cancer survivors (BCS). However, the cognitive mechanisms of “how” MBSR(BC) works are unknown. The purpose of this study, as part of a larger R01 trial, was to test whether positive effects achieved from the MBSR(BC) program were mediated through changes in increased mindfulness, decreased fear of breast cancer recurrence, and perceived stress. Female BCS >21 years diagnosed with Stage 0-III breast cancer were randomly assigned to a 6-week MBSR(BC) or a Usual Care(UC) regimen. Potential outcome mediators were identified by use of an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), comparing mean values of outcome variables and potential mediating variables followed by mediational and bootstrap analyses. Among 322 BCS (167 MBSR(BC) and 155 UC), fear of recurrence and perceived stress, but not mindfulness, mediated reductions in anxiety and fatigue at weeks 6 and 12, partially supporting our hypothesis of cognitive mechanisms of MBSR(BC). Support: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute (Award Number 1R01 CA131080-01A2). This work also has been supported in part by the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (P30-CA076292). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health. This study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of South Florida to ensure the ethical treatment of participants. Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts to report. Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT01177124
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
Cites 24
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
and 19 more in the library