Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Late Post-Treatment Pain in Women Treated for Primary Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Maja Johannsen, Maja O'Connor, Mia Skytte O'Toole, Anders Bonde Jensen, Inger Højris, Robert Zachariae
Journal of Clinical Oncology October 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.65.0770 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized wait-list-controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 129 |
| Population | Women treated for primary breast cancer reporting post-treatment pain (score ≥ 3 on pain intensity or pain burden) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; follow-up at 3 and 6 months |
| Measures | Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2), Present Pain Intensity subscale (McGill Pain Questionnaire), numeric rating scales for perceived pain intensity and pain burden, World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale, self-reported pain medication use |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCT produced a statistically significant, durable effect on pain intensity (d = 0.61), the only outcome surviving correction for multiple comparisons, and significant effects on quality of life and nonprescription pain medication use. The authors indicate MBCT may be an efficacious pain rehabilitation strategy for women treated for breast cancer, while suggesting the neuropathic pain effect is preliminary. |
Abstract
To assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for late post-treatment pain in women treated for primary breast cancer. A randomized wait list-controlled trial was conducted with 129 women treated for breast cancer reporting post-treatment pain (score ≥ 3 on pain intensity or pain burden assessed with 10-point numeric rating scales). Participants were randomly assigned to a manualized 8-week MBCT program or a wait-list control group. Pain was the primary outcome and was assessed with the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2), the Present Pain Intensity subscale (the McGill Pain Questionnaire), and perceived pain intensity and pain burden (numeric rating scales). Secondary outcomes were quality of life (World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index), psychological distress (the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale), and self-reported use of pain medication. All outcome measures were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Treatment effects were evaluated with mixed linear models. Statistically significant time × group interactions were found for pain intensity (d = 0.61; P = .002), the Present Pain Intensity subscale (d = 0.26; P = .026), the SF-MPQ-2 neuropathic pain subscale (d = 0.24; P = .036), and SF-MPQ-2 total scores (d = 0.23; P = .036). Only pain intensity remained statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Statistically significant effects were also observed for quality of life (d = 0.42; P = .028) and nonprescription pain medication use (d = 0.40; P = .038). None of the remaining outcomes reached statistical significance. MBCT showed a statistically significant, robust, and durable effect on pain intensity, indicating that MBCT may be an efficacious pain rehabilitation strategy for women treated for breast cancer. In addition, the effect on neuropathic pain, a pain type reported by women treated for breast cancer, further suggests the potential of MBCT but should be considered preliminary.
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
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- Tele-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A mixed-methods feasibility study Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare June 25, 2018
- Patients with Chronic Pain: Are Mindfulness Traits Protective Against Distress, Anxiety and Depression? Clinical neuropsychiatry October 1, 2023
- Meditation-Based Therapies for Chronic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus August 1, 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
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Cites 10
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study ☆ Pain June 4, 2007
- 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
- Feasibility of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for early-stage breast cancer survivors. Journal of Holistic Nursing June 2011
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