Objective
We investigated the effects of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy on insomnia (MBCT‐I) in breast cancer survivors.
Methods
In total, 136 participants were allocated randomly to a MBCT‐I group or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Indicators of insomnia and mindfulness were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index, actigraphy and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline (T1), post‐intervention (T2), 3‐month follow‐up (T3) and 6‐month follow‐up (T4) time points.
Results
Insomnia severity decreased significantly in the MBCT‐I group, compared with the WLC group, at T2, T3 and T4 (all p < .001). We found that 59.6% of the MBCT‐I group with moderate and severe insomnia improved to no insomnia and subclinical insomnia at T4 relative to T1, accounting for 7.9% and 55.3%, respectively. Compared with the WLC group, the MBCT‐I group improved on actigraphy measures of sleep; they exhibited a pattern of decreased sleep onset latency and waking after sleep onset, as well as increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency. Mindfulness also increased more in the MBCT‐I group than in the WLC group at T2, T3 and T4 (all p < .001).
Conclusions
MBCT‐I may be an efficacious non‐pharmacologic intervention to improve sleep quality in breast cancer survivors.