The Evolution of Mindfulness-Based Physical Interventions in Breast Cancer Survivors

Table 2

Studies involving tai chi chuan in breast cancer survivors.

Reference	Intervention (type/duration)	Study design	𝑁	Main outcomes	Comments/results (group by time interactions reported for the controlled studies and time effects for non-controlled studies)
Reid-Arndt et al.; [65], 2012	Yang style tai chi chuan; 10 weeks, 60′ sessions, 2x/week	One arm	23 (16 with breast cancer); At least 12 months from chemotherapy	Neuropsychological tests (memory, executive function, language, and attention); Self-reported cognitive functioning (MASQ); Distress (IES-R); Mood (POMS-SF); Fatigue (POMS-SF); Balance	Improvements in  immediate and delayed memory, verbal fluency, attention, executive functioning, and self-reported cognitive functioning *; Improvements in stress*; Trend toward improved vigor; No changes in fatigue; Improved balance*
Sprod et al. [66], 2012	Yang style tai chi chuan versus standard support therapy; 12 weeks, 60′ sessions, 3x/week	RCT	35	HRQOL (MOS SF-36); IL-6, IL-8; Glucose; Cortisol; Insulin, IGF-1; IGFBP-1; IGFBP-3	Improved physical functioning and general mental health *; Trends towards improved social functioning and lack of increase in insulin levels
Janelsins et al.; [67], 2011	Yang style tai chi chuan versus psychosocial support therapy; 12 weeks, 60′ sessions, 3x/week	RCT	19	Insulin, IGF-I, IGFBP; Body composition (weight, bmi, fat mass, fat-free mass); Cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-2 and IFN-γ	Lack on increase in insulin levels *; No change in IGF-1, IGFBP or cytokines; Decreased BMI*
Peppone et al.; [68], 2010	Yang style tai chi chuan versus psychosocial support therapy; 12 weeks, 60′ sessions, 3x/week	RCT	16	Bone formation (serum BSAP); Bone resorption (serum NTx); Bone remodeling index; IGF-1, IGFBP1,3; Cytokines (IL-2, 6, 8, IFN-γ2)	Trend towards an increase in bone formation and a decrease in bone resorption; Improvement in bone remodeling index*
Mustian et al.; [69–71], 2008,; 2006, 2004	Yang style tai chi chuan versus psychosocial support therapy; 12 weeks, 60′ sessions, 3x/week	RCT	21	Functional capacity (aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and flexibility); QOL (FACIT-Fatigue); Body composition; Self-esteem (RSE)	Trend toward improvement in aerobic capacity and flexibility; Improved muscle strength and QOL at 12 weeks*; No difference in body composition; Improved self-esteem*; Self-esteem positively correlated with QOL*

BSAP: Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase; FACIT-Fatigue: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue; HRQOL: health-Related Quality of Life; IGFBP: Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein; IL: Interleukin; IGF: Insulin-like Growth Factor; MASQ: Multiple Abilities Self-Report Questionnaire; NTx: N-Telopeptides of Type I Collagen; IES-R: Impact of Event Scale-Revised; POMS-SF: Profile of Mood States-Short Form; RSE: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; bold text with*: statistically significant (𝑃<0.05).