Mindfulness significantly reduces self-reported levels of anxiety and depression: results of a randomised controlled trial among 336 Danish women treated for stage I-III breast cancer.
Study Goal
To test the effect of an 8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) on anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer in a randomized controlled study.
Results Summary
The MBSR intervention showed clinically meaningful, statistically significant reductions in anxiety and depression after 12 months, with medium-to-large effect sizes, particularly among participants with higher baseline levels of distress.
Population
Women with breast cancer (stage I-III) who had undergone surgery.
Effective Dosage
8-week group-based MBSR program (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks (with follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months post-intervention).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) | decrease | anxiety | women with breast cancer (stage I-III) | p=0.0002 | showed differences between groups in levels | #1 |
8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) | decrease | depression (SCL-90r) | women with breast cancer (stage I-III) | p<0.0001 | showed differences between groups in levels | #2 |
8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) | decrease | depression (CES-D) | women with breast cancer (stage I-III) | p=0.0367 | showed differences between groups in levels | #3 |
8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) | decrease | anxiety and depression | participants with higher levels of anxiety and depression at baseline | - | showed a significantly greater decrease | #4 |
8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) | decrease | depression and anxiety | women with breast cancer | medium-to-large effect sizes | had clinically meaningful, statistically significant effects | #5 |
INTRODUCTION: As the incidence of and survival from breast cancer continue to raise, interventions to reduce anxiety and depression before, during and after treatment are needed. Previous studies have reported positive effects of a structured 8-week group mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) among patients with cancer and other conditions. PURPOSE: To test the effect of such a programme on anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer in a population-based randomised controlled study. METHODS: A total of 336 women who had been operated on for breast cancer (stage I-III) were randomised to usual care or MBSR+usual care. Questionnaires including the Symptom Checklist-90r anxiety and depression subscales and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale were administered before randomisation and immediately, 6 and 12 months after the intervention. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses showed differences between groups in levels of anxiety (p=0.0002) and depression (SCL-90r, p<0.0001; CES-D, p=0.0367) after 12 months. Graphical comparisons of participants with higher levels of anxiety and depression at baseline showed a significantly greater decrease in the intervention group throughout follow-up and no differences among least affected participants. Medium-to-large effects were found for all outcomes in the intervention group in analyses of change scores after 12 months' follow-up. CONCLUSION: The 8-week group based MBSR intervention had clinically meaningful, statistically significant effects on depression and anxiety after 12 months' follow-up, and medium-to-large effect sizes. Our findings support the dissemination of MBSR among women with breast cancer. (Clintrials.gov No.: NCT00990977).