Abstract
To investigate prevalence and severity of symptoms and symptom clustering in breast cancer survivors who attended MBSR(BC).
Women were randomly assigned into MBSR(BC) or Usual Care (UC). Eligible women were ≥ 21 years, had been diagnosed with breast
cancer and completed treatment within 18 months of enrollment. Symptoms and interference with daily living were measured pre-
and post-MBSR(BC) using the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory. Symptoms were reported as highly prevalent but severity was low.
Fatigue was the most frequently reported and severe symptom among groups. Symptoms clustered into 3 groups and improved in
both groups. At baseline, both MBSR(BC) and the control groups showed similar mean symptom severity and interference; however,
after the 6-week post-intervention, the MBSR(BC) group showed statistically-significant reduction for fatigue and disturbed
sleep (P < 0.01) and improved symptom interference items, compared to the control group. For the between-group comparisons, 11 of
13 symptoms and 5 of 6 interference items had lower means in the MBSR(BC) condition than the control condition. These results
suggest that MBSR(BC) modestly decreases fatigue and sleep disturbances, but has a greater effect on the degree to which symptoms
interfere with many facets of life. Although these results are preliminary, MBSR intervention post-treatment may effectively
reduce fatigue and related interference in QOL of breast cancer survivors.
Women were randomly assigned into MBSR(BC) or Usual Care (UC). Eligible women were ≥ 21 years, had been diagnosed with breast
cancer and completed treatment within 18 months of enrollment. Symptoms and interference with daily living were measured pre-
and post-MBSR(BC) using the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory. Symptoms were reported as highly prevalent but severity was low.
Fatigue was the most frequently reported and severe symptom among groups. Symptoms clustered into 3 groups and improved in
both groups. At baseline, both MBSR(BC) and the control groups showed similar mean symptom severity and interference; however,
after the 6-week post-intervention, the MBSR(BC) group showed statistically-significant reduction for fatigue and disturbed
sleep (P < 0.01) and improved symptom interference items, compared to the control group. For the between-group comparisons, 11 of
13 symptoms and 5 of 6 interference items had lower means in the MBSR(BC) condition than the control condition. These results
suggest that MBSR(BC) modestly decreases fatigue and sleep disturbances, but has a greater effect on the degree to which symptoms
interfere with many facets of life. Although these results are preliminary, MBSR intervention post-treatment may effectively
reduce fatigue and related interference in QOL of breast cancer survivors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9346-4
- Authors
- Cecile A. Lengacher, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, MDC 22, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-4476, USA
- Richard R. Reich, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Janice Post-White, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Manolete Moscoso, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, MDC 22, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-4476, USA
- Melissa M. Shelton, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, MDC 22, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-4476, USA
- Michelle Barta, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, MDC 22, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-4476, USA
- Nancy Le, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, MDC 22, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-4476, USA
- Pinky Budhrani, College of Nursing, University of South Florida, MDC 22, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-4476, USA
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715