Mindfulness for the Self-Management of Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer
C. Eyles, G. Leydon, C. Hoffman, E. Copson, P. Prescott, Maria Chorozoglou, G. Lewith
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2015 DOI: 10.1177/1534735414546567 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed methods convergent design Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), ECOG score 0-2, stable disease, life expectancy at least 6 months |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week MBSR course; questionnaires at baseline, weeks 4, 8, 16, and 24 |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key points | MBSR was acceptable to women with metastatic breast cancer, who reported cumulative benefits including feeling less reactive to emotional distress, more acceptance of life disruption, and perceived improvements in anxiety and quality of life. However, the 8-week course required a considerable time commitment, which deterred participation and proved challenging during the course; the authors suggest tailoring the intervention to be less intensive. |
Abstract
The impact of living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is considerable and psychosocial support can be beneficial. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can help self-management of anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL), and fatigue and has been evaluated in early-stage breast cancer but not MBC. This study investigated the acceptability and feasibility of providing MBSR for women with MBC and of introducing MBSR into a National Health Service (NHS) setting. A mixed methods convergent design was used. Eligible women with MBC, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 0 to 2, stable disease, and life expectancy of at least 6 months were invited to attend (by their oncologist) an 8-week MBSR course. Qualitative interviews with patients, a focus group, and interview with NHS staff were held to explore acceptability and feasibility of MBSR. Questionnaires at baseline, during (weeks 4, 8), and after (weeks 16, 24) the course measured fatigue, anxiety and depression, mindfulness, disease-specific QoL, and generic preference based QoL. Of 100 women approached, 20 joined the study. One woman dropped out prior to the intervention due to illness progression. Nineteen women took part in 3 MBSR courses. Recruitment to 2 of the 3 courses was slow. Commitment to 8 weeks was a reason for non-participation, and proved challenging to participants during the course. Participants found the course acceptable and reported many cumulative and ongoing benefits. These included feeling less reactive to emotional distress and more accepting of the disruption to life that occurs with living with MBC. There was high attendance, completion of course sessions, adherence to home practice, excellent follow-up rates, and high questionnaire return rates. MBSR was acceptable to MBC patients, who perceived benefits such as improved anxiety and QoL; but the MBSR course requires a considerable time commitment. There is scope to tailor the intervention so that it is less intensive.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on symptom burden, positive psychological outcomes, and biomarkers in cancer patients Cancer Management and Research June 1, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on breast cancer symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis Einstein 2018
- Mixed-methods evaluation comparing the impact of two different mindfulness approaches on stress, anxiety and depression in school teachers. BMJ Open July 4, 2019
- 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
- Preliminary validation of the Cognitive Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised in cancer populations. Psycho-Oncology 2024
and 14 more in the library
Cites 30
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and 25 more in the library