A meditation technique developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School can help breast cancer survivors battle depression, according to a new study.
Although breast cancer survival rates continue to increase, up to 50 percent of patients experience depression after being treated. Those who learned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) saw mental and physical improvements.
“MBSR is another tool to enhance the lives of breast cancer survivors,” researcher Jane Armer said. “Patients often are given a variety of options to reduce stress, but they should choose what works for them according to their lifestyles and belief systems.”
As part of the MBSR program, conducted at the University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing, participants are taught the technique in groups for eight to 10 weeks. In addition to learning the technique, participants discuss their health and learn other techniques to help improve it. The researchers say that many saw lowered blood pressure, as well as lowered heart and respiratory rate.
“Post-diagnosis, breast cancer patients often feel like they have no control over their lives,” Armer said. “Knowing that they can control something — such as meditation — and that it will improve their health, gives them hope that life will be normal again.”
The results of the study, “Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Health Among Breast Cancer Survivors,” were published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research.