Effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer

Abstract

This investigation used a non-randomized controlled design to evaluate the effect and feasibility of a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) program on immune function, quality of life (QOL), and coping in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Early stage breast cancer patients, who did not receive chemotherapy, self-selected into an 8-week MBSR program or into an assessment only, control group. Outcomes were evaluated over time. The first assessment was at least 10 days after surgery and prior to adjuvant therapy, as well as before the MBSR start-up. Further assessments were mid-MBSR, at completion of MBSR, and at 4-weeks post MBSR completion. Women with breast cancer enrolled in the control group (Non-MBSR) were assessed at similar times. At the first assessment (i.e., before MBSR start), reductions in peripheral blood mononuclear cell NK cell activity (NKCA) and IFN gamma production with increases in IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 production and plasma cortisol levels were observed for both the MBSR and Non-MBSR groups of breast cancer patients. Over time women in the MBSR group re-established their NKCA and cytokine production levels. In contrast, breast cancer patients in the Non-MBSR group exhibited continued reductions in NKCA and IFN gamma production with increased IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 production. Moreover, women enrolled in the MBSR program had reduced cortisol levels, improved QOL, and increased coping effectiveness compared to the Non-MBSR group. In summary, MBSR is a program that is feasible for women recently diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and the results provide preliminary evidence of beneficial effects of MBSR on immune function, QOL, and coping effectiveness.

Depression in cancer: The many biobehavioral pathways driving tumor progression

“…Significant increases in the percentage of large granular lymphocytes and NK cytotoxic activity and a small decrease in the percentage of TH CD4+ cells were observed following a 6-week psychiatric group intervention for patients with malignant melanoma, and correlated with improvements in the affective symptoms' severity 151 . Reductions in cortisol levels or normalization of diurnal cortisol patterns have also been reported 150,152 . The changes in immunological and endocrine responses associated with psychological interventions do not seem only to exert a beneficial impact on coping strategies, stress relieving, affective symptoms and on quality of life measures [153][154][155] , but there is also some evidence of a long-lasting effect on survival.…”

“…However, despite the scarceness of confirmatory studies, there is a large evidence supporting a model in which behavioral interventions may promote biological effects, with a positive impact on the innate and cellular immune response and in the modulation of the HPA axis activity. For instance, psychological treatment was effective in increasing the host T cell response as well as enhancing the cytotoxicity of NK cells 149,150 . Significant increases in the percentage of large granular lymphocytes and NK cytotoxic activity and a small decrease in the percentage of TH CD4+ cells were observed following a 6-week psychiatric group intervention for patients with malignant melanoma, and correlated with improvements in the affective symptoms' severity 151 .…”

Environmental Enrichment Alters Splenic Immune Cell Composition and Enhances Secondary Influenza Vaccine Responses in Mice

“…A key intervention that has been tested is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a standardized meditationbased intervention that has become widely used in hospitals, schools and community settings internationally. MBSR has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood and may influence HPA axis activity (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Given the negative relationship between chronic psychological stress and indices of immune function, several groups have hypothesized that stress reduction interventions may enhance responses to an immune challenge, in part, due to reduced exposure to neuroendocrine stress mediators.…”

Effect of Mindfullness Meditation on Stress Level and Coping Mechanism in Cancer Patients

“…The same thing was also expressed by Witek-Janusek et al (2008) who examined immunologic responses to stress in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Respondents were given Meditation Based Stress Reduction therapy and the results obtained showed a significant improvement in the quality of life and immunological effects on the respondents.…”