Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 13: Mindfulness-based programmes may help improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia among women with cancer, according to a new review of 39 studies. However, researchers say further evidence is needed to understand how these interventions work and which patients benefit the most.
Sleep difficulties are common during and after cancer treatment, prompting many women to explore supportive care options beyond medication.
The scoping review examined studies involving adult women with cancer who participated in mindfulness-based programmes and reported sleep-related outcomes. Researchers searched eight databases up to January 2026.
Of the 39 studies included, 18 were conducted in the United States and 24 were randomised controlled trials. Breast cancer was the most frequently reported diagnosis, with most participants being survivors who had completed treatment.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction was the most commonly used approach, generally delivered through programmes lasting six to eight weeks. Some interventions were also conducted online or through hybrid formats.
Most studies reported improvements in sleep quality or a reduction in insomnia symptoms. However, the findings were not consistent across all studies. Some reported no significant differences between intervention and comparison groups, despite improvements among participants who received mindfulness training.
Researchers also found that objective sleep measurements showed more varied results than participants' self-reported assessments.
Fatigue was the most frequently examined physical symptom and often improved alongside sleep quality, while findings related to pain were mixed.
Only a few studies examined biological indicators such as cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein and heart rate variability. Their findings were inconsistent, making it difficult to establish the biological mechanisms through which mindfulness may influence sleep.
The review also highlighted several limitations in the available evidence. Only two studies examined sleep, physical symptoms and biological markers together. Differences in programme formats, duration and comparison methods also made it difficult to draw broader conclusions.
Furthermore, most evidence came from high-income countries and women with early-stage breast cancer, limiting its applicability to those undergoing active treatment or living with advanced cancer.
The researchers suggested that mindfulness could be considered as part of supportive care, particularly for women experiencing insomnia alongside fatigue or emotional distress.
However, women with severe or persistent sleep difficulties should undergo specific assessment and may benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), an established treatment approach.
The review concluded that further standardised studies are needed to determine which mindfulness programmes are most effective and identify the women who are likely to benefit from them.