An Internet Mantram Repetition Program to Promote Well-being in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Integrative oncology
• Behavioral medicine
• Psychoneuroimmunology

Background:

• Breast cancer survivors often experience psychological distress and altered immune markers.
• Internet-delivered interventions offer accessible support for managing survivorship challenges.
• Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) is a mind-body intervention with potential benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week internet-delivered MRP for breast cancer survivors.
• To explore changes in perceived stress, psycho-spiritual well-being, and serum cytokines.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial (ORBIT Phase IIa) involving 26 women recently treated for breast cancer.
• Participants were randomized to an immediate treatment group (n=14) or a waitlist control group (n=12).
• Intervention delivered online for 6 weeks; psycho-spiritual assessments and serum cytokine analyses were conducted.

Main Results:

• The internet-delivered MRP intervention demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability with low attrition (19.2%) and high adherence (86-90%).
• Significant reductions in perceived stress (p=.045) and increases in spiritual well-being (p=.004) were observed.
• Changes in serum cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-17A) showed differential patterns between the treatment and waitlist groups.

Conclusions:

• A 6-week internet-delivered MRP is feasible and acceptable for breast cancer survivors.
• Psycho-spiritual measures and serum cytokines are appropriate outcome measures for future MRP studies.
• Findings suggest MRP may positively impact stress and spiritual well-being in this population, warranting further investigation.