Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Post-treatment Breast Cancer Patients: Immediate and Sustained Effects Across Multiple Symptom Clusters.
Richard R Reich, Cecile A Lengacher, Carissa B Alinat, Kevin E Kip, Carly L Paterson, Sophia Ramesar, Heather S Han, Roohi Ismail-Khan, Versie Johnson-Mallard, Manolete S Moscoso, Pinky Budhrani-Shani, Steve Shivers, Charles Cox, Matthew Goodman, Jong Y Park
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management January 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.08.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 322 |
| Population | Stage 0-III post-treatment breast cancer survivors |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Breast Cancer (MBSR(BC)) |
| Duration | Six-week program with assessments at baseline, six, and 12 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Breast cancer Physical symptoms Post-treatment Psychological symptoms Symptom cluster |
| Registration | NCT01177124 |
| Key findings | Among 322 post-treatment breast cancer survivors, a six-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Breast Cancer program improved the psychological symptom cluster (anxiety, depression, perceived stress, quality of life, emotional well-being; P = 0.007) and the fatigue symptom cluster (fatigue, sleep, drowsiness; P < 0.001) compared with usual care from baseline to six weeks, with effects sustained but not further improved at 12 weeks. |
Abstract
Breast cancer survivors (BCS) face adverse physical and psychological symptoms, often co-occurring. Biologic and psychological factors may link symptoms within clusters, distinguishable by prevalence and/or severity. Few studies have examined the effects of behavioral interventions or treatment of symptom clusters. The aim of this study was to identify symptom clusters among post-treatment BCS and determine symptom cluster improvement following the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Breast Cancer (MBSR(BC)) program. Three hundred twenty-two Stage 0-III post-treatment BCS were randomly assigned to either a six-week MBSR(BC) program or usual care. Psychological (depression, anxiety, stress, and fear of recurrence), physical (fatigue, pain, sleep, and drowsiness), and cognitive symptoms and quality of life were assessed at baseline, six, and 12 weeks, along with demographic and clinical history data at baseline. A three-step analytic process included the error-accounting models of factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Four symptom clusters emerged at baseline: pain, psychological, fatigue, and cognitive. From baseline to six weeks, the model demonstrated evidence of MBSR(BC) effectiveness in both the psychological (anxiety, depression, perceived stress and QOL, emotional well-being) (P = 0.007) and fatigue (fatigue, sleep, and drowsiness) (P < 0.001) clusters. Results between six and 12 weeks showed sustained effects, but further improvement was not observed. Our results provide clinical effectiveness evidence that MBSR(BC) works to improve symptom clusters, particularly for psychological and fatigue symptom clusters, with the greatest improvement occurring during the six-week program with sustained effects for several weeks after MBSR(BC) training. Name and URL of Registry: 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
Cited by 43
- Mindfulness‐based interventions for psychological and physical health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Psycho-Oncology September 11, 2019
- Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on quality of life of breast cancer patient: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognitive impairment in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 2025
- La intervención psicológica en mindfulness con pacientes supervivientes de cáncer de mama. Revisión sistemática Psicooncología 1970
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on quality of sleep among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 1, 2025
and 38 more in the library
Cites 8
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- 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
- Mindfulness based stress reduction in post-treatment breast cancer patients: an examination of symptoms and symptom clusters. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2012
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain conditions: variation in treatment outcomes and role of home meditation practice. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2010
and 3 more in the library