Abstract
PurposeThere have been few studies using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to improve sexual function in Asian women with breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mindfulness intervention on female sexual function, mental health, and quality of life in patients with breast cancer.MethodsFifty-one women with breast cancer were allocated into 6-week MBSR (n=26) sessions or usual care (n=25), without differences in group characteristics. The research tools included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), and the EuroQol instrument (EQ-5D). The Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) was used to verify the foregoing scale. The effects of MBSR were evaluated by the differences between the post- and pre-intervention scores in each scale. Statistical analyses consisted of the descriptive dataset and Mann-Whitney ranked-pairs test.ResultsAlthough MBSR did not significantly improve sexual desire and depression in patients with breast cancer, MBSR could improve parts of female sexual function [i.e., Δarousal: 5.73 vs. -5.96, Δlubrication: 3.35 vs. -3.48, and Δsatisfaction: 8.48 vs. 1.76; all p <.005], with a range from small to medium effect sizes. A significantly benefits were found on mental health [Δanxiety: -10.92 vs.11.36 and Δstress: -10.96 vs.11.40; both p <.001], with large effect sizes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.87.ConclusionOur study revealed that MBSR can improve female sexual function and mental health except for sexual desire and depression in women with breast cancer. Medical staff can incorporate MBSR into clinical health education for patients with breast cancer to promote their overall quality of life.
Highlights
Among cancers, breast cancer is the most prevalent among women and has the second-highest mortality rate in Taiwan [1]
Other studies summarize the literature on mechanisms of mindfulness interventions in female sexual dysfunction (FSD), and conclude that trait mindfulness and decentering are the most common mechanisms identified for the efficacy of mindfulness and the identified mediators of improvement when making decisions about which patient might be more likely to benefit from a mindfulness-based approach to treating sexual dysfunction [7]
The findings demonstrated that vasomotor function, and mental health (Δpsychological: -4.37 vs. 4.54, p = .045) significantly improved at the posttest (Table 5), which was consistent with the results of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21)
Summary
Breast cancer is the most prevalent among women and has the second-highest mortality rate in Taiwan [1]. Other studies summarize the literature on mechanisms of mindfulness interventions in female sexual dysfunction (FSD), and conclude that trait mindfulness and decentering are the most common mechanisms identified for the efficacy of mindfulness and the identified mediators of improvement (i.e., interoceptive awareness, depression, and trait mindfulness) when making decisions about which patient might be more likely to benefit from a mindfulness-based approach to treating sexual dysfunction [7]. The study found out that those women experienced significant improvements in sex-related distress, sexual function, and mood; these results had sustained during the six-month follow-up [8]. Few studies have focused on women with breast cancer in Asia and on how mindfulness intervention can improve their sexual function and alleviate their menopausal symptoms
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