339P - An online mindfulness-based stress-reduction (MBSR) intervention for breast cancer (BC) survivors: A randomized trial

Background

Recent literature has proposed MBSR as an intervention that can decrease symptom burden in oncologic patients. However, there is paucity of data on the effect of online-delivered interventions despite the potential of this modality to improve access and adherence to treatment. The aim of this study was to study the effects of an online MBSR intervention on BC survivors.

Methods

Women aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with stage 0-III BC at least 1 year prior to inclusion and not undergoing active treatment were invited to participate. Those with mild anxiety were randomized to an online MBSR intervention or waitlist (WL). The MBSR intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions of meditation guided by a certified instructor. Measured outcomes included anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), worry about disease recurrence (CWS), fatigue (FACIT-F), insomnia (ISI), and vasomotor symptoms (MENQOL). Assessments were done at baseline, 2 months, 5 months, and 8 months.

Results

A total of 97 patients with a median age of 45 years (IQR: 40-51) and a median of 24 months (IQR: 15-36) after diagnosis were included. 66 were randomized to MBSR and 31 to WL. Most participants were married (54%), had public health insurance (49%), and were diagnosed with stage III (33%) or II (32%) BC. Linear mixed models controlling for health insurance, education, and stage showed that MSBR led to significant reductions in anxiety (GAD-7 -3.76, p<0.01), depression (PHQ-9 -4.17 points, p<0.01), cancer worry (CWS -2.59 points, p<0.05), fatigue (FACIT-F -4.15 points, p<0.05), and insomnia (ISI -4.10 points, p<0.01) at the 8 months follow-up, but not vasomotor symptoms (MENQOL score +0.51 points, p=0.42). Adjusted mean scores are shown in the Table. Table: 339P

Conclusions

An online MBSR intervention demonstrated a statistically significant and persistent reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms in BC survivors. This modality offers BC patients better access to interventions with the potential to improve their quality of life.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

J. Gutiérrez-Ornelas: Financial Interests, Personal, Financially compensated role, Director: Centro Mindfulness Monterrey. A. Platas: Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member of Board of Directors: MILC - Médicos e Investigadores en la Lucha contra el Cáncer de Mama. H.C. Verduzco-Aguirre: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Research honoraria: Celulicity; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel grants: Asofarma, AstraZeneca. C.M. Villarreal Garza: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD Oncology, Novartis, Pfizer, AstraZeneca Mexico, Lilly; Financial Interests, Personal, Research Grant: Pfizer; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Lilly, AstraZeneca Mexico, MSD Oncology; Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member of Board of Directors: MILC - Médicos e Investigadores en la Lucha contra el Cáncer de Mama. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.