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Mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive function among breast cancer survivors: a systematic review.

BMC cancer
January 1, 1970
Gabriella Cifu et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to systematically review the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on cognitive function among breast cancer survivors.

Results Summary

The review found mixed results, with two studies showing no association, two showing short-term improvement, and two showing sustained cognitive improvement at follow-up. The studies lacked consistency in cognitive domains and assessment measures.

Population

Breast cancer survivors

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Varied (follow-up periods ranged from 2 to 6 months)

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based interventions
increase
cognitive function
the general population
-
have been shown to improve
#1
mindfulness-based interventions
no change
cognitive function
breast cancer survivors
-
found no association
#2
mindfulness-based interventions
increase
cognitive function
breast cancer survivors
-
found improvement that was not sustained at the follow-up
#3
mindfulness-based interventions
increase
cognitive function
breast cancer survivors
-
found sustained improvement at 2- or 6-months
#4
mindfulness-based interventions
increase
cognition
breast cancer survivors
-
have shown some evidence for improving
#5
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors have an elevated risk of cognitive impairment compared to age-matched women without cancer. Causes of this impairment are complex, including both treatment and psychological factors. Mindfulness-based interventions, which have been shown to improve cognitive function in the general population, may be one approach to mitigate cognitive impairment in this survivor population. Our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review of studies on the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: We conducted searches of three electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) in September 2017 for studies pertaining mindfulness and cognitive function among breast cancer survivors. Abstracts were manually searched by two reviewers and additional articles were identified through reference lists. RESULTS: A total of 226 articles were identified through our systematic search and six met inclusion criteria for this review. The reviewed studies lacked consistency in terms of the cognition domains studied (e.g. executive function, recent memory, etc) and in the measures used to assess cognition. Of the included studies, two found no association between mindfulness interventions and cognitive function, two found improvement that was not sustained at the follow-up, and another two found sustained improvement at 2- or 6-months. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based interventions have shown some evidence for improving cognition among breast cancer survivors, but further research using validated and comprehensive cognitive assessments is needed. More research is also needed related to the timing, duration and content of mindfulness interventions.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Breast NeoplasmsCancer SurvivorsCognitionFemaleHumansMindfulnessOutcome Assessment, Health CarePsychotherapyRisk AssessmentStress, Physiological
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy60/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations34
Citations/Year4.9
Relative Citation Ratio1.49
NIH Percentile64.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.67
Normalized Score0.58
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