The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) vs. Treatment as Usual (TAU) for depression and anxiety symptoms in breast cancer patients in recovery. Investigators will examine whether MBCT-related improvements in sleep quality, illness-related distress, and rumination (escalating cycles of negative thinking) predict MBCT-related decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms (Aim 2). Exploratory analyses will examine whether demographics (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity), individual differences (e.g., perceived stress, social support), clinical characteristics (e.g., stage/severity of diagnosis), and treatment adherence (e.g., sessions attended, hours of weekly practice) help determine for whom MBCT is most effective (Aim 3).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
Weekly MBCT sessions consist of: a) mindfulness practice including breath-focused sitting meditation, body scanning, and mindful stretching; b) review of previous weeks' homework and an overview of the current week's homework; c) barriers to completing the homework. Homework includes: a) practicing the mindfulness exercise reviewed in class using the CDs provided to each participant (guided practice of the relevant exercise); b) maintaining a calendar of pleasant events; c) mindfully engaging in activities of daily living; and d) logging practice efforts in a daily log.
Subjects randomized to the Treatment as Usual group will be advised to seek help from their family doctor or other sources as they normally would if they encountered symptomatic deterioration or other difficulties over the course of the study.
New York University School of Medicine
New York, New York, United States
Change in Anxiety Level using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-Form Y
This measure consists of 20-items that assess trait anxiety and 20 for state anxiety.
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in level of Depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
The 21-item version of this widely used measure will be used to assess depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in Quality of Life using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMISE)
PROMISE: 10 Item measure of quality of life
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in fatigues score using a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Breast and Fatigue subscales (FACIT-B and F):
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in Physical Health Symptoms
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in Sleep Quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI):
This 19-item measure assesses habitual sleep quality over the last month. It consists of 7 subscales (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, daytime dysfunction), and also provides a global sleep quality score.
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in Illness Perceptions using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ)
Time frame: 3 Months
Change in Rumination using the Ruminative Responses Scale (RSS):
Change in the level of escalating cycles of negative thinking
Time frame: 3 Months
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