Mindful eating as a supportive intervention for breast cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Dilşat Baş, Gizem Ağır, Özlem Sönmez et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed whether a six-session mindful eating intervention added to treatment-as-usual (TAU) improved eating behaviors and body composition in breast cancer survivors. Participants were assigned to TAU plus mindful eating (n = 13) or TAU alone (n = 15), with outcomes followed over six months. Eating-behavior measures improved in both groups, and waist circumference decreased with TAU while hip circumference decreased with the intervention. In adjusted analysis, intervention-group participation was associated with lower BMI over time (p = 0.013), but there was no clear overall superiority across outcomes.
Key findings
- Reliance on hunger and satiety cues increased in both groups (TAU: p = 0.004; TAU + MEI: p = 0.007).
- MEQ-30 total scores increased in both groups (TAU: p < 0.001; TAU + MEI: p = 0.010).
- Waist circumference decreased in the TAU group (p = 0.002), while hip circumference decreased in the TAU + MEI group (p = 0.009).
- TAU + MEI participation was independently associated with lower BMI over time (p = 0.013), although overall superiority was not clear.
Why it matters
Eating behaviors and weight management can be challenging for breast cancer survivors. These exploratory results suggest that mindful eating may be a feasible supportive approach to investigate alongside usual care, while also showing improvements in some outcomes among participants receiving TAU alone. The mixed pattern of changes underscores the need to assess specific outcomes rather than assume a broad intervention benefit.
What to keep in mind
This was a pilot trial with small groups, and the abstract reports no clear overall superiority of the intervention across outcomes.