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Preliminary Effects of Mindfulness Training on Inflammatory Markers and Blood Pressure in Young Adult Survivors of Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

Background

This was a secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) among young adult (YA) survivors of cancer, which showed preliminary evidence for improving psychosocial outcomes. Secondary outcomes assessed were the feasibility of collecting biological data from YAs and preliminary effects of MBSR on markers of inflammation and cardiovascular function.

Method

Participants were randomized to 8-week MBSR or a waitlist control condition. Participants provided whole blood spot samples for analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 as well as blood pressure data in-person at baseline and 16-week follow-up. Feasibility was assessed with rates of providing biological data. Linear mixed effects modeling was used to evaluate preliminary effects of MBSR on inflammatory markers and blood pressure over time.

Results

Of 126 total participants enrolled, 77% provided biological data at baseline (n = 48/67 MBSR, n = 49/59 control). At 16 weeks, 97% of the 76 retained participants provided follow-up biological data (n = 34/35 MBSR, n = 40/41 control). Relative to the control group, MBSR was associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (p = 0.042, effect sizes (ES) = 0.45) and decreased diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.017, ES = 0.64). There were no changes in CRP or IL-6.

Conclusion

This was the first study to explore the feasibility of collecting biological data from YA survivors of cancer and assess preliminary effects of MBSR on inflammatory and cardiovascular markers in an RCT. Minimally invasive biological data collection methods were feasible. Results provide preliminary evidence for the role of MBSR in improving cardiovascular outcomes in this population, and results should be replicated.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Ms. Bruriah Horowitz, Ms. Carly Maletich, and Ms. Evelyn Cordero for their contributions to this study.

Funding

This study was funded by the American Cancer Society-Illinois Division (PI: Victorson), the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer at Northwestern University (PI: Victorson), and the National Institutes of Health (T32-CA193193; T32-CA122061).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA

    Laura B. Oswald

  2. Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2205 Tech Drive, Suite 2-120, Evanston, Chicago, IL, USA

    Rina S. Fox, Karly M. Murphy, Stacy D. Sanford, Thomas W. McDade & David E. Victorson

  3. Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Karly M. Murphy & John M. Salsman

  4. Department of Anthropology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Thomas W. McDade

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  1. Laura B. Oswald
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Correspondence to David E. Victorson.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Oswald, L.B., Fox, R.S., Murphy, K.M. et al. Preliminary Effects of Mindfulness Training on Inflammatory Markers and Blood Pressure in Young Adult Survivors of Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Int.J. Behav. Med. 29, 676–684 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-021-10050-w

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