Lymphocyte Recovery After Breast Cancer Treatment and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Therapy
Cecile A Lengacher, Kevin E Kip, Janice Post-White, Shirley G Fitzgerald, Cathy Newton, Michelle Barta, Paul B Jacobsen, Melissa M Shelton, Manolete S Moscoso, Versie Johnson-Mallard, Eleanor Harris, Loretta Loftus, Charles Cox, Nancy Le, Matthew Goodman, Julie Djeu, Raymond H. Widen, Barry B. Bercu, Thomas W. Klein
Biological Research for Nursing 2013 DOI: 10.1177/1099800411419245 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 82 |
| Population | Women diagnosed with Stage 0–III breast cancer who had completed lumpectomy and adjuvant radiation with or without chemotherapy |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 6-week intervention; immune measures assessed at baseline and within 2 weeks after the intervention |
| Measures | Immunostaining and flow cytometry for lymphocyte subsets, activated T cells, and Th1/Th2 cells; phytohemagglutinin (PHA) mitogen stimulation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR(BC) was associated with more rapid recovery of functional T cells capable of mitogen activation and a shift toward a Th1 phenotype, with greater T cell activation and higher CD4+ counts in women less than 12 weeks from treatment completion. Recovery of B and NK cells appeared to occur independently of the stress-reducing intervention. |
Abstract
Objectives: This randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine immune recovery following breast cancer (BC) therapy and evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR) on immune recovery with emphasis on lymphocyte subsets, T cell activation, and production of T-helper 1 (Th1; interferon [IFN]-γ) and T-helper 2 (Th2; interleukin-4 [IL-4]) cytokines.
Method: Participants who completed the study consisted of 82 patients diagnosed with Stage 0–III BC, who received lumpectomy and adjuvant radiation ± chemotherapy. Patients were randomized into an MBSR(BC) intervention program or a control (usual care) group. Immune cell measures were assessed at baseline and within 2 weeks after the 6-week intervention. The numbers and percentages of lymphocyte subsets, activated T cells, and Th1 and Th2 cells in peripheral blood samples were determined by immunostaining and flow cytometry.
Results: Immune subset recovery after cancer treatment showed positive associations with time since treatment completion. The B and natural killer (NK) cells were more susceptible than T cells in being suppressed by cancer treatment. Women who received MBSR(BC) had T cells more readily activated by the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and an increase in the Th1/Th2 ratio. Activation was also higher for the MBSR(BC) group if <12 weeks from the end of treatment and women in MBSR(BC) <12 weeks had higher T cell count for CD4 + .
Conclusion: MBSR(BC) promotes a more rapid recovery of functional T cells capable of being activated by a mitogen with the Th1 phenotype, whereas substantial recovery of B and NK cells after completion of cancer treatment appears to occur independent of stress-reducing interventions.
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 17
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Physical Conditions: A Narrative Review Evaluating Levels of Evidence ISRN Psychiatry November 14, 2012
- Online Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Program for People Living with Cancer in Alberta: A Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial Libraries and Cultural Resources 2015
- 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
- Mindfulness Meditation Interventions for Long COVID: Biobehavioral Gene Expression and Neuroimmune Functioning. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment November 8, 2022
and 12 more in the library
Cites 13
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- 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
- 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
- Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for survivors of breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology December 2009
- Mindfulness meditation training effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes in HIV-1 infected adults: a small randomized controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity February 2009
and 8 more in the library