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Research: MATOUSEK and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 198
Abstract
MATOUSEK and COLLEAGUES, Department of Medicine, McGill University, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada studied changes in the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in women participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program after completion of their medical treatment for breast cancer.
Background
Changes in the cortisol awakening response (CAR) were studied in women participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program after completion of their medical treatment for breast cancer.
Methodology
Thirty-three women completed questionnaires pre- and post-MBSR pertaining to: stress, depressive symptomatology, and medical symptoms. The CAR was assessed on 3 days pre- and 3 days post-MBSR as a biological marker of stress.
Results
A significant effect on the CAR was found, with cortisol levels showing a prolonged increase after awakening at the post-MBSR assessment period. This was accompanied by significant improvements in self-reported stress levels, depressive symptomatology, and medical symptoms. Furthermore, the change in medical symptoms was negatively correlated with the area under the curve (AUC) at study onset (r = -.52, p < .002); i.e., the greater the AUC of the CAR before MBSR, the greater the reduction in medical symptoms after the program.
Conclusion
These results suggest the potential usefulness of employing the CAR as a biological marker in women with breast cancer participating in an MBSR program.
References
Matousek RH, Pruessner JC and Dobkin PL. Changes in the cortisol awakening response (CAR) following participation in mindfulness-based stress reduction in women who completed treatment for breast cancer. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 17(2): 65-70. May 2011.
Comment
Comments: The above research [from my former alma mater, McGill University] shows that participation in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in women after completing medical treatment for breast cancer provided a significant effect upon the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), which measures stress, depression and medical symptoms.
