A meta-analysis of the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on psychological function among breast cancer (BC) survivors.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on psychological distress and quality of life among breast cancer survivors.
Results Summary
MBSR significantly improved psychological domains (depression, anxiety, stress) and overall quality of life in breast cancer survivors compared to the control group. The effects were statistically significant and clinically meaningful.
Population
Breast cancer survivors (964 participants across nine studies).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | depression | breast cancer survivors | mean difference (MD), 5.09; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 3.63-6.55; P < 0.00001 | significant improvement | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | anxiety | breast cancer survivors | mean difference (MD), 2.79; 95 % CI, 1.62-3.96; P < 0.00001 | significant improvement | #2 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | stress | breast cancer survivors | mean difference (MD), 4.10; 95 % CI, 2.46-5.74; P < 0.00001 | significant improvement | #3 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | increase | overall quality of life (QOL) | breast cancer survivors | mean difference (MD), -1.16; 95 % CI, -2.21 to -0.12; P = 0.03 | improve | #4 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | increase | psychological function | breast cancer survivors | - | shows a positive effect | #5 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | increase | QOL | breast cancer survivors | - | shows a positive effect | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Psychological issue is the most common co-morbidity of women with breast cancer (BC) after receiving treatment. Effective coping with this problem is significant importance. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on psychological distress among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched from their inception to June 30, 2014. Two reviewers independently reviewed and extracted the data. The primary outcomes of interest were psychological domains. Review Manager 5.3 was used to pool collected data. RESULTS: Nine articles involving 964 participants were identified. Compared with those in control group, patients in MBSR group have a significant improvement on psychological domains: depression [mean difference (MD), 5.09; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 3.63-6.55; P < 0.00001], anxiety (MD, 2.79; 95 % CI, 1.62-3.96; P < 0.00001), stress (MD, 4.10; 95 % CI, 2.46-5.74; P < 0.00001). MBSR can also improve the overall quality of life (QOL) (MD, -1.16; 95 % CI, -2.21 to -0.12; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our findings, MBSR shows a positive effect on psychological function and QOL of breast cancer survivors. This approach can be recommended to breast cancer patients as a part of their rehabilitation.