Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study.
Edgar Gonzalez-Hernandez, Rocío Romero, Daniel Campos, Diana Burychka, Rebeca Diego-Pedro, Rosa M Baños, Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Ausiàs Cebolla
Integrative Cancer Therapies April 22, 2018 DOI: 10.1177/1534735418772095 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Breast cancer survivors who had completed treatment |
| Intervention | Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) |
| Duration | Pre-post intervention and 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Breast neoplasms Adaptation, psychological Cognition Adaptation, physiological Quality of life Adult Middle aged Female Cancer survivors Self-management Breast cancer Well-being Survivorship Self-compassion Compassion training Contemplative training |
| Key findings | CBCT reduced stress caused by fear of cancer recurrence and improved self-kindness, common humanity, overall self-compassion, mindful observation, and acting with awareness compared with treatment as usual. The authors describe CBCT as a promising intervention but note that future randomized trials and deeper cultural adaptation are needed. |
Abstract
Context: Breast cancer (BC) requires a significant psychological adaptation once treatment is finished. There is growing evidence of how compassion training enhances psychological and physical well-being, however, there are very few studies analyzing the efficacy of compassion-based Interventions on BC survivors.
Objective: To study the efficacy of the Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) protocol in a BC survivor sample on quality of life, psychological well-being, fear of cancer recurrence, self-compassion, and compassion domains and mindfulness facets. Furthermore, enrollment, adherence, and satisfaction with the intervention were also analyzed.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was designed.
Participants: (n = 56) were randomly assigned to CBCT (n = 28) or a treatment-as-usual control group (TAU; n = 28). Pre-post intervention and 6-month follow-up measures took place to evaluate health-related quality of life, psychological well-being; psychological stress, coping strategies, and triggering cognitions; self-compassion and compassion; and mindfulness in both intervention and wait-list groups.
Results: Accrual of eligible participants was high (77%), and the drop-out rate was 16%. Attendance to CBCT sessions was high and practice off sessions exceeded expectations). CBCT was effective in diminishing stress caused by FCR, fostering self-kindness and common humanity, and increasing overall self-compassion scores, mindful observation, and acting with awareness skillsets.
Conclusion: CBCT could be considered a promising and potentially useful intervention to diminish stress caused by FCR and enhance self-kindness, common humanity, overall self-compassion, mindful observation, and acting with awareness skillsets. Nevertheless, future randomized trials are needed and a process of deeper cultural adaptation required.
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 10
- A compassion-based program to reduce psychological distress in medical students: A pilot randomized clinical trial PLoS One June 23, 2023
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Culturally Adapted, Community-Based, Remotely Delivered Mindfulness Program for Latinx Patients With Breast Cancer is Acceptable and Feasible While Reducing Anxiety. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024
- Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Perceived Stress in Women With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies Archives of Breast Cancer July 25, 2026
- Efficacy of Cognitively-based compassion training for Veterans with chronic pain with psychological Comorbidity: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications June 1, 2026
- Learning Compassion and Meditation: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Experience of Novice Meditators. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
and 5 more in the library
Cites 18
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Defining mindfulness by how poorly I think I pay attention during everyday awareness and other intractable problems for psychology's (re)invention of mindfulness: Comment on Brown et al. (2011). Psychological Assessment 2011
- Mindfulness, by any other name…: trials and tribulations of sati in western psychology and science Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Effects of mindful-attention and compassion meditation training on amygdala response to emotional stimuli in an ordinary, non-meditative state Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
and 13 more in the library