[6101] Feasibility of mindfullness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in early stage breast cancer recovery, a pilot study. Lengacher C, Gaurkee DL, Mierzejewski A, Johnson-Mallard V, Greenberg HM, Cantor A, Holtje T, Jacobsen P, Molinari M, Carter BW, Cox CE University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL Background: Women diagnosed with breast cancer are at risk for emotional distress when they transition from treatment to survivorship. MBSR has many potential benefits. The major aims of this study were to evaluate the use of the MBSR intervention through: (i) assessment of participation, compliance, and adherence during the intervention; and (ii) evaluation of benefits of MBSR Stress Reduction Program (SRP) at post-test. Methods: An exploratory design was used with early stage breast cancer patients who received lumpectomy, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Descriptive statistics were used to determine participation, compliance, adherence and the benefits of the MBSR Program. Patients participated in an 8 week MBSR intervention (Jon Kabat Zinn, University of Massachusetts). Data were collected during the intervention. At post intervention, patients completed the SRP Follow-up Evaluation. Results: Participation: 58 recruited, 27 declined; 31 agreed to attend an orientation session; with 19 or 61.29 % consenting to participate in classes. Compliance was excellent, 89.47% (17 of 19) completed the classes; mean age was 58 (SD=8.9); 90% were Caucasian, 5% Black, non Hispanic, and 5% Hispanic. Of the original 19, participants, 82% completed of all sessions; absences were due to family and work conflicts. Adherence: 76.5% recorded practice on MBSR components in a diary. Mean minutes practiced per week for sitting meditation were 371.8(SD 396.4); for walking meditation 138.63 (SD 211.7); for body scan 212.2(SD 292.6); and for yoga 123.3(SD 246). SRP Follow-up Evaluation: 88% reported it to be beneficial; 76.4% reported an increased ability to handle stress; 70.6% reported an increased awareness of stress; 76.5% reported increased coping; and 76.5% reported increased ability to care for self. Discussion: Results indicate that the participation, compliance and adherence to the program were quite high. The benefits of the SRP showed that patients increased their ability to handle stress, increased their coping abilities and self care. This study further validates the usefulness of MBSR. A larger randomized trial is necessary to further study the effects of this potential therapy. * This study was funded by the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation/Aventis Pharmaceuticals Oncology Nursing Research Grant. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 12/06 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.