Use of a Wearable EEG Headband as a Meditation Device for Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Denise Millstine, A. Bhagra, S. Jenkins, Ivana T Croghan, D. Stan, J. Boughey, Minh-Doan T. Nguyen, Sandhya Pruthi
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2019 DOI: 10.1177/1534735419878770 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Women aged 20-75 years with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer planning to undergo surgical treatment |
| Intervention | CD-based stress-reduction education |
| Duration | From breast cancer diagnosis until 3 months after surgical treatment; assessments at baseline, within 4 days before surgery, up to 14 days after surgery, and 3 months after surgery |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Both the wearable-device meditation group and the CD-based stress-reduction control group showed reduced fatigue and stress and improved quality of life at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery compared with baseline, with no significant differences between groups at any time point. The authors conclude that the wearable electroencephalographic device for meditation is a feasible strategy for breast cancer patients. |
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment affect quality of life and stress and are associated with fatigue. Meditation interventions are effective strategies for patients with breast cancer but are often limited by poor access, high cost, substantial time commitment, and poor adherence. In this feasibility study, we investigated the use of a portable, wearable, electroencephalographic device for guided meditation practices by breast cancer patients during the period from breast cancer diagnosis until 3 months after surgical treatment.
Methods: We enrolled women (age = 20-75 years) who had received a recent diagnosis of breast cancer and planned to undergo surgical treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to perform guided meditation with the device (intervention group) or receive CD-based stress-reduction education (control group). Surveys were used to measure stress, quality of life, and fatigue at baseline, within 4 days before surgery, up to 14 days after surgery, and at 3 months after surgery.
Results: In the intervention group, 15 of 17 participants (88.2%) completed the study; in the control group, 13 of 13 participants completed the study (100%). Participants in both groups had less fatigue and stress and improved quality of life at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery compared with baseline, but there were no significant intergroup differences at any time point.
Conclusion: The use of this wearable electroencephalographic device for meditation is a feasible strategy for patients with breast cancer.
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 6
- Brain-computer interfaces in digital mindfulness training for metacognitive, emotional and attention regulation skills: a literature review Research, Society and Development February 18, 2023
- Mapping Protocols and Evidence on Combined EEG Neurofeedback and Meditation: A Systematic Review NeuroRegulation June 29, 2026
- Technology and Meditation: Exploring the Challenges and Benefits of a Physical Device to Support Meditation Routine Multimodal Technologies and Interaction January 29, 2024
- Mindfulness Using a Wearable Brain Sensing Device for Health Care Professionals During a Pandemic: A Pilot Program. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health 2023
- Trait mindful awareness predicts inter-brain coupling but not individual brain responses during naturalistic face-to-face interactions. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
and 1 more in the library
Cites 5
- Mindfulness-based interventions for women with breast cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta oncologica December 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Post-treatment Breast Cancer Patients: Immediate and Sustained Effects Across Multiple Symptom Clusters. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management January 2017
- Mindfulness for the Self-Management of Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer Integrative Cancer Therapies 2015
- Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for survivors of breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology December 2009
- Effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity August 2008