A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR[BC]) on Levels of Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Recovering Breast Cancer Survivors.
Richard R Reich, Cecile A Lengacher, Thomas W. Klein, Cathy Newton, Steve Shivers, Sophia Ramesar, Carissa B Alinat, Carly L Paterson, Alice Le, Jong Y Park, Versie Johnson-Mallard, Maya N Elias, Manolete S Moscoso, Matthew Goodman, Kevin E Kip
Biological Research for Nursing July 2017 DOI: 10.1177/1099800417707268 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial substudy Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 322 |
| Population | Breast cancer survivors |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Breast Cancer) (MBSR[BC]) |
| Duration | 6-week program with follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks |
| Measures | interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) 1 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mbsrbc Mindfulness-based stress reduction Biomarkers Breast cancer Cytokines |
| Key findings | The authors report that among the three analyzable cytokines, TNF alpha and IL-6 increased between 6 and 12 weeks of follow-up rather than during the 6-week MBSR(BC) training period, while sTNFR1 did not change significantly across 12 weeks. They suggest MBSR(BC) affects cytokine levels and that increases in TNF alpha and IL-6 may be markers of MBSR(BC)-related immune recovery. |
Abstract
The purpose of this substudy of a large randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Breast Cancer) (MBSR[BC]) program compared to usual care (UC) in normalizing blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines among breast cancer survivors (BCS). A total of 322 BCS were randomized to either a 6-week MBSR(BC) program or a UC. At baseline and 6 and 12 weeks, 10 ml of venous blood and demographic and clinical data were collected and/or updated. Plasma cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF] α, transforming growth factor [TGF] β1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor [sTNFR] 1) were assayed. Linear mixed models were used to assess cytokine levels across three time points (baseline and 6 and 12 weeks) by group (MBSR[BC] vs. UC). Of the six measured cytokines, three were nondetectable at rates greater than 50% (IL-10, IL-1β, TGF-β1) and, because of overall low prevalence, were not analyzed further. For the remaining cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, sTNFR1), results showed that TNFα and IL-6 increased during the follow-up period (between 6 and 12 weeks) rather than during the MBSR(BC) training period (between baseline and 6 weeks), while sTNFR1 levels did not change significantly across the 12-week period. Study results suggest that MBSR(BC) affects cytokine levels in BCS, mainly with increases in TNFα and IL-6. The data further suggest that B-cell modulation may be a part of immune recovery during breast cancer management and that increases in TNFα and IL-6 may be markers for MBSR(BC)-related recovery.
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 9
- Biological mechanism study of meditation and its application in mental disorders General Psychiatry July 13, 2020
- Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Cancer Patients: From Clinical Observations to Biochemical Mechanisms. Complementary Medicine Research 2024
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Meditation on the Immune Function of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews October 1, 2025
- A Randomized Clinical Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program Among Breast Cancer Survivors Post-Treatment: Evaluating Mediators of Cognitive Improvement. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine April 1, 2025
- Impact of mindfulness practices to improve quality of life and mental health of persons diagnosed with breast cancer: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 9
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Web-Based Intervention in Mindfulness Meditation for Reducing Residual Depressive Symptoms and Relapse Prophylaxis: A Qualitative Study Journal of Medical Internet Research March 24, 2014
- Examination of Broad Symptom Improvement Resulting From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology August 20, 2016
- Lymphocyte Recovery After Breast Cancer Treatment and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Therapy Biological Research for Nursing 2013
- Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR(BC)) in breast cancer: evaluating fear of recurrence (FOR) as a mediator of psychological and physical symptoms in a randomized control trial (RCT). Journal of Behavioral Medicine November 27, 2012
and 4 more in the library