Carlson, L. E., & Garland, S. N. (2005). Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on sleep, mood, stress and fatigue symptoms in cancer outpatients. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12, 278–285.
The mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) meditation program included relaxation, meditation, gentle yoga, and daily practice. Patients attended eight sessions and received a 52-page booklet with weekly instructions plus an audiotape of the meditations. Outcomes were sleep, mood, stress, and fatigue.
Patients were undergoing the long-term follow-up phase of care.
The study used a prospective, repeated measures, quasiexperimental, feasibility design with one group.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
At pretreatment, 91% of the sample had a PSQI of 5 or more and 51% had a score of 10 or more. At posttreatment, 27% reported a PSQI of greater than 10. Sleep disturbance was significantly reduced, and subjective sleep quality was improved.