title: Randomized controlled trial of Mindfulness-based cancer recovery versus supportive expressive group therapy for distressed survivors of breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of the following two empirically supported group interventions to help distressed survivors of breast cancer cope: mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) and supportive-expressive group therapy (SET).
  
  
  METHODS
  This multisite, randomized controlled trial assigned 271 distressed survivors of stage I to III breast cancer to MBCR, SET, or a 1-day stress management control condition. MBCR focused on training in mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga, whereas SET focused on emotional expression and group support. Both intervention groups included 18 hours of professional contact. Measures were collected at baseline and after intervention by assessors blind to study condition. Primary outcome measures were mood and diurnal salivary cortisol slopes. Secondary outcomes were stress symptoms, quality of life, and social support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using linear mixed-effects models, in intent-to-treat analyses, cortisol slopes were maintained over time in both SET (P = .002) and MBCR (P = .011) groups relative to the control group, whose cortisol slopes became flatter. Women in MBCR improved more over time on stress symptoms compared with women in both the SET (P = .009) and control (P = .024) groups. Per-protocol analyses showed greater improvements in the MBCR group in quality of life compared with the control group (P = .005) and in social support compared with the SET group (P = .012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the largest trial to date, MBCR was superior for improving stress levels, quality of life and social support [CORRECTED] for distressed survivors of breast cancer. Both SET and MBCR also resulted in more normative diurnal cortisol profiles than the control condition. The clinical implications of this finding require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. l.carlson@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Linda E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Doll
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faris
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tamagawa
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drysdale
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Speca
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors; D015013:Yoga
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone