Carlson, L.E., Speca, M., Patel, K.D., & Goodey, E. (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress, and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65, 571–581.

Didactic, inductive, and experiential modes of learning were used to implement the intervention and convey information to patients. The intervention was provided over the course of eight weekly 90-minute group sessions (maximum of 15 participants per group) as well as a three-hour silent retreat on Saturday between weeks 6 and 7.

Patients received a booklet containing information about each week’s instructions as well as an audiotape with sensate-focused body scan meditation on one side and a guided sitting meditation on the other.

The program was composed of three primary components.

1. Theoretical materials related to mindfulness, relaxation, meditation, and the mind-body connection
2. Experiential practice of meditation and yoga during group meetings and home-based practice
3. Group process focused on problem-solving concerning obstacles to effective practice, daily applications of mindfulness, and supportive interaction between group members

• N = 59
• MEAN AGE = 54.5 years
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: 49 women with breast cancer and 10 men with prostate cancer
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Most patients (N = 42) were married or cohabiting, with a mean of 14.7 years of formal education. Patients had a median cancer diagnosis of 1.1 years prior to study enrollment (range = three months to 20 years). Two-thirds had stage II cancer (62.7%).
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy currently or within the past three months; psychiatric illness; a concurrent autoimmune disorder; and past participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group
• RECRUITMENT: Patients primarily were recruited with pamphlets and posters around the center, in each of the breast and prostate clinic areas, and were able to self-refer.

• LOCATION: Tom Baker Cancer Center

• PHASE OF CARE: Active treatment

• Pre-post intervention study

• European Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30)
• Profile of Mood States (POMS)

The MBSR intervention did not result in a significant difference for fatigue outcomes between pre- and post-intervention time points. Only 42 patients had complete data for both time points. When comparing the 17 patients with incomplete data to the rest of the sample, participants with complete data were more likely to be married or cohabitating. Non-completers had higher scores than completers on several of the baseline measures for POMS subscale, including depression, anger, and confusion.

• Lack of a neutral comparison group
• Lack of correction for multiple comparisons during statistical analysis