Meditation helps women recover better from breast cancer. The technique eases depression, lowers blood pressure and heart rate after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A form of mindfulness meditation known as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – which incorporates meditation, yoga and physical awareness – has been tested on a group of women following breast cancer therapy.
Researchers from the University of Missouri carried out the experiment after they read that up to 50 per cent of women suffer from depression after chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
They enrolled a group of women into a 10-week MBSR programme, which involved practising the techniques most days. In virtually every case, the women had lower blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate after the sessions. Their mood also improved dramatically, and most felt in control of their lives.
(Source: Western Journal of Nursing Research, 2011; 33: 996-1016).
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