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Innovative Therapy Offers Hope for Metastatic Breast Cancer Survivors
In the United States, advances in medical research have enabled over 169,000 individuals to live with metastatic breast cancer. As the focus on enhancing the quality of life for these patients intensifies, addressing fatigue becomes pivotal. Research indicates that this debilitating symptom affects up to 63 percent of individuals, often interfering with their daily activities and overall well-being.
A recent study highlights the potential of telephone-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in alleviating the impact of fatigue on day-to-day functioning for patients living with metastatic breast cancer. Distinct from traditional symptom management approaches, ACT emphasizes fostering psychological flexibility through mindfulness and commitment to personal values, thereby facilitating behavior change.
Significantly, findings reveal that the remote ACT sessions not only help reduce the fatigue experienced by patients but also show promise in mitigating sleep disturbances related to their condition. Many patients report that cancer-induced fatigue is often worsened by poor sleep quality.
“Participants in the study often expressed that mindfulness practices incorporated at bedtime improved their sleep quality and contributed to a greater overall sense of peace,” explained Shelley Johns, PsyD, a research scientist at the Regenstrief Institute and associate professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine. “We believe that the ACT intervention contributed to participants’ enhanced ability to fall asleep more easily, a result we attribute to the mindfulness techniques utilized during the sessions.”
In the clinical trial, 250 survivors of metastatic breast cancer were divided into two groups: one receiving six weekly telephone sessions of ACT and the other participating in educational and support sessions. Results indicated that the therapy, conducted through brief remote conversations, effectively encouraged mindfulness practices among participants, leading to a noticeable decrease in fatigue-related interference in their daily lives.
“Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers affecting women globally, yet effective pharmacological treatments for fatigue in advanced cancer remain elusive,” stated Catherine Mosher, PhD, an affiliate scientist at the Regenstrief Institute and the study’s lead author. “My interest in ACT stems from its proven effectiveness in managing fatigue-related challenges in patients with chronic pain and mental health issues.”
“The essence of mindfulness lies in concentrating on the present—acknowledging physical symptoms, thoughts, and feelings with a compassionate outlook,” Dr. Mosher continued, also a behavioral scientist in the Psychology Department at Indiana University Indianapolis. “We speculated that this mindfulness approach could disrupt negative thought patterns associated with fatigue, such as excessive worry or catastrophizing, and that increased bodily awareness would empower individuals to make choices that enhance their quality of life.”
This research provides valuable insights for clinical practice, indicating that a novel, telephone-based ACT intervention can successfully reduce the impact of fatigue on functioning for metastatic breast cancer patients, with promising results in addressing sleep interference as well. The training associated with ACT is accessible to healthcare professionals across various disciplines. Future research will aim to test this intervention across culturally diverse populations and broaden its dissemination.
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