Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Late Post-Treatment Pain in Women Treated for Primary Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for reducing post-treatment pain in women treated for primary breast cancer.
Results Summary
MBCT showed statistically significant, robust, and durable effects on pain intensity, neuropathic pain, and quality of life, with reduced nonprescription pain medication use. However, only pain intensity remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons.
Population
Women treated for primary breast cancer reporting post-treatment pain (score ≥ 3 on pain intensity or burden scales).
Effective Dosage
Manualized 8-week MBCT program (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks, with follow-ups at 3 and 6 months.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | pain intensity | women treated for breast cancer | d = 0.61 | showed a statistically significant, robust, and durable effect | #1 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | Present Pain Intensity subscale | women treated for breast cancer | d = 0.26 | statistically significant time × group interactions were found | #2 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | SF-MPQ-2 neuropathic pain subscale | women treated for breast cancer | d = 0.24 | statistically significant time × group interactions were found | #3 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | SF-MPQ-2 total scores | women treated for breast cancer | d = 0.23 | statistically significant time × group interactions were found | #4 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | increase | quality of life | women treated for breast cancer | d = 0.42 | statistically significant effects were also observed | #5 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | nonprescription pain medication use | women treated for breast cancer | d = 0.40 | statistically significant effects were also observed | #6 |
PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for late post-treatment pain in women treated for primary breast cancer. METHODS: A randomized wait list-controlled trial was conducted with 129 women treated for breast cancer reporting post-treatment pain (score ≥ 3 on pain intensity or pain burden assessed with 10-point numeric rating scales). Participants were randomly assigned to a manualized 8-week MBCT program or a wait-list control group. Pain was the primary outcome and was assessed with the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2), the Present Pain Intensity subscale (the McGill Pain Questionnaire), and perceived pain intensity and pain burden (numeric rating scales). Secondary outcomes were quality of life (World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index), psychological distress (the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale), and self-reported use of pain medication. All outcome measures were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Treatment effects were evaluated with mixed linear models. RESULTS: Statistically significant time × group interactions were found for pain intensity (d = 0.61; P = .002), the Present Pain Intensity subscale (d = 0.26; P = .026), the SF-MPQ-2 neuropathic pain subscale (d = 0.24; P = .036), and SF-MPQ-2 total scores (d = 0.23; P = .036). Only pain intensity remained statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Statistically significant effects were also observed for quality of life (d = 0.42; P = .028) and nonprescription pain medication use (d = 0.40; P = .038). None of the remaining outcomes reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: MBCT showed a statistically significant, robust, and durable effect on pain intensity, indicating that MBCT may be an efficacious pain rehabilitation strategy for women treated for breast cancer. In addition, the effect on neuropathic pain, a pain type reported by women treated for breast cancer, further suggests the potential of MBCT but should be considered preliminary.