TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer
AU - Witek-Janusek, Linda
AU - Albuquerque, Kevin
AU - Chroniak, Karen Rambo
AU - Chroniak, Christopher
AU - Durazo-Arvizu, Ramon
AU - Mathews, Herbert L.
N1 - Funding Information:
The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute R21-CA-9864 and the Niehoff School of Nursing Palmer Funds. Our heartfelt thanks are extended to all the women who so graciously agreed to participate in this study and to Margaret J. LaPlante, Ph.D., who provided her expertise in initiating the MBSR program. The authors gratefully acknowledge the expert assistance of Jonna Peterson, Sara Shanti, and Kelly Loster in performing laboratory analyses. Special thanks are extended to Cheryl Peterson, R.N., who unfailingly supported study recruitment and to Linda Milbrandt R.N. who assisted with medical record reviews. We also recognize and thank James Sinacore Ph.D. for data analysis and especially, Kathy Albain, M.D., Ann McCall, M.D. and the clinic physicians and staff of the Loyola University Breast Care Center who facilitated the implementation of this study.
PY - 2008/8
Y1 - 2008/8
N2 - 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-week 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-γ 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-γ 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 for beneficial effects of MBSR; on immune function, QOL, and coping.
AB - 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-week 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-γ 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-γ 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 for beneficial effects of MBSR; on immune function, QOL, and coping.
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Coping
KW - Cytokines
KW - NK cell activity
KW - Optimistic coping
KW - Psychoneuroimmunology
KW - Quality of life
KW - Supportant coping
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=46049102196&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=46049102196&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bbi.2008.01.012
DO - 10.1016/j.bbi.2008.01.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 18359186
AN - SCOPUS:46049102196
SN - 0889-1591
VL - 22
SP - 969
EP - 981
JO - Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
JF - Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
IS - 6
ER -