Mindfulness-based stress reduction and breast cancer

The current study was designed to test the efficacy of a meditation-based intervention, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), for women with stage II breast cancer. This prospective randomized study examined the effects of psychological and sleep functioning in the MBSR treatment group compared to a control group. The treatment consisted of a group format focusing on training participants in mindfulness meditation and its application to daily life. Participants in the control group recorded the stress management activities they chose to engage in each day. Results indicated that over time all participants' psychological well-being improved regardless of experimental condition. The MBSR condition did not improve significantly more than the control condition. Within the MBSR group, however, those participants reporting greater mindfulness meditation practice improved on both sleep and psychological variables more than those who practiced less. Implications of the study findings are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.