Mindfulness‐based stress reduction and cognitive function among breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) survivors frequently report changes in cognition after chemotherapy. Mindfulness may benefit survivors by mitigating cancer-related cognitive impairment. As part of a larger study investigating the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for BC survivors living with neuropathic pain, the authors assessed whether MBSR would have an effect on cognitive outcomes. METHODS: Participants were randomized to an MBSR intervention group (n = 30) or a waitlist control group (n = 30). Cognitive assessments were administered at 3 time points: at baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months post-MBSR in the intervention group and at equivalent time intervals for the control group. Multilevel models were used to assess whether MBSR significantly improved task performance at each time point. RESULTS: MBSR participants showed a significantly greater reduction in prospective and retrospective memory failures at 2 weeks postintervention. No effects of MBSR were noted for objective assessments. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MBSR training reduces subjective (but not objective) memory-related impairments in BC survivors who receive treatment with chemotherapy. This study provides insight into a noninvasive intervention to ameliorate memory difficulties in BC survivors.

Interventions promoting cognitive function in patients experiencing cancer related cognitive impairment: A systematic review

“…Improvement was seen in language skills measured by Delis‐Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) ( p < 0.05), executive function measured by the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) ( p < 0.05) and cognitive failures measured by the CFQ ( p < 0.05). One study 64 included an element of mindfulness‐based stress reduction in addition to CBT and found no statistically significant improvement in cognitive function. Lin et al 68 .…”

Global trends of research on depression in breast cancer: A bibliometric study based on VOSviewer

“…Recent research showed that a mindfulness-based stress reduction approach, group counseling, and survivorship education could reduce depressive symptoms in young breast cancer survivors ( Mirmahmoodi et al, 2020 ; Bower et al, 2021 ; Printz, 2021 ). Mindfulness has also benefited survivors by eliminating cancer-related pain and cognitive impairment ( Smith et al, 2021 ; Duval et al, 2022 ). It was proven that implementing the multi-modal mindfulness-based intervention, including integrative dietary, physical activity, and mindfulness, enhanced breast cancer survivors’ quality of life and healthy lifestyle ( Ruiz-Vozmediano et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2022 ).…”

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Breast Cancer Survivors with Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Secondly, our exploratory neuroimaging studies investigating the influence of mindfulness on brain resting state and white matter integrity as well as emotional reactivity among 21 participants found a potential impact of MBSR on the neural correlates of CNP due to breast cancer treatment. These included improved white matter integrity in several brain regions [ 23 ], reduced activation in several brain areas involved in pain processing and emotional processing in the presence of pain-related stimuli (emotional Stroop task) [ 22 ], as well as altered default mode network activity/connectivity post-MBSR in comparison to controls [ 21 ]. The effect of natural recovery from cancer treatment-induced chronic neuropathic pain may have masked any effect of MBSR in our population.…”

“…Our secondary hypotheses were that participation in MBSR would result in reduced psychological distress and pain-related cognition, and improved quality of life at 3-month follow-up relative to control. Three exploratory studies focusing on the effects of MBSR training on cognitive function [ 21 ], brain structure [ 22 ] and function [ 23 ], and biomarkers of stress and inflammation [ 24 ] are reported in detail in separate manuscripts.…”

“…ree exploratory studies focusing on the effects of MBSR training on cognitive function [21], brain structure [22] and function [23], and biomarkers of stress and inflammation [24] are reported in detail in separate manuscripts.…”