The role of sexual mindfulness in enhancing sexual well-being among breast cancer survivors
Asefeh Shirdashtzadeh Kerdabadi, Zeinab Tavakol, Fereshteh Rasti Borujeni, Hadi Raeisi Shahraki, Zahra Davoodi
Medicine October 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000051237 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Women with breast cancer who consulted comprehensive health service centers in Shahrekord, Iran; 36 selected by convenience sampling, 4 excluded for severe depression, 32 randomized |
| Intervention | Sexual mindfulness-based training |
| Duration | 8 sessions of 90 minutes, once a week; follow-up 3 months after the intervention |
| Measures | sexual well-being questionnaire, short-form Beck Depression Questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Sexual well-being did not differ significantly between the sexual mindfulness and control groups immediately after the 8-session intervention (P = .11), though the intervention group's own scores rose from 39.33 to 56.17. Three months after the intervention, sexual well-being was significantly higher in the intervention group (66.42 ± 13.79) than in the control group (51.92 ± 20.62; P < .001). The authors conclude that sexual mindfulness can be considered a therapeutic method in palliative care to improve sexual well-being in breast cancer patients. |
Abstract
Background: Patients with a wide range of sexual disorders are vulnerable to negative sexual well-being due to complications from breast cancer treatment. This study aimed to investigate the impact of sexual mindfulness-based training on the sexual well-being of women with breast cancer.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2024 and involved a statistical population of women with breast cancer who had consulted comprehensive health service centers in Shahrekord, Iran. Among the referring women, 36 people were selected by convenience sampling. To investigate depression in the participants, the short-form Beck Depression Questionnaire was used, and 4 patients were excluded from the study due to severe depression. Then, the participants were randomly assigned to 2 study groups of 16 patients. Sexual mindfulness training was conducted in 8 sessions (90 minutes, once a week) for the intervention group at the reproductive and sexual health clinic in Shahrekord. Meanwhile, the control group was not subjected to planned intervention or training. A sexual well-being questionnaire was used to collect data for repeated measures analysis. Both groups were asked to complete the sexual well-being questionnaire before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed through independent samples T -test, analysis of covariance, and repeated measures analysis.
Results: The findings showed that there was no significant difference in sexual well-being between the intervention and control groups before the intervention ( P = .29). Immediately after the intervention, sexual well-being significantly increased in the intervention group, from 39.33 ± 25.56 to 56.17 ± 22.29 ( P < .001); however, the corresponding between-group comparison was not statistically significant ( P = .11). Three months after the intervention, sexual well-being was significantly higher in the intervention group (66.42 ± 13.79) than in the control group (51.92 ± 20.62; P < .001).
Conclusion: Sexual Mindfulness can be considered a therapeutic method in palliative care to improve sexual well-being in breast cancer patients.
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
Cites 5
- Assessment of the effect of mindfulness monotherapy on sexual dysfunction symptoms and sex-related quality of life in women Sexual Medicine June 1, 2023
- Mindfulness and Sex Education for Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: Mediators and Moderators of Treatment Outcome. The Journal of Sex Research May 2023
- Association of Mindfulness-Based Interventions With Anxiety Severity in Adults With Cancer JAMA Network Open August 1, 2020
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with Older Adults: A Qualitative Review of Randomized Controlled Outcome Research Clinical Gerontologist September 11, 2018
- A Pilot Study of Eight-Session Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Adapted for Women's Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder. The Journal of Sex Research September 2017