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Researchers from the Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University of Chicago, 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 newly 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 were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cell
NK cell activity (NKCA) and IFN-gamma production with increases in
IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 production. 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 for beneficial effects on immune function, quality
of life, and coping.
Citation: Witek-Janusek L, Albuquerque K, Chroniak KR, Chroniak C,Durazo-Arvizu R, Mathews HL. Effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Brain, Behavior and Immunity.
2008 Aug; 22 (6): pages 969-81. Epub 2008 Mar 21.
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It's great to see these mind-body methods being taken so seriously that complex and expensive blood assays are now part of the reseach design for several new studies.
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