Effects of a Single Session of Mindfulness and Compassion on Skin Temperature in Breast Cancer Survivors

TL;DR

A single session of mindfulness and compassion can increase skin temperature and reduce stress in breast cancer survivors.

Contribution

The study shows that a single session of mindfulness and compassion can significantly reduce stress in cancer survivors.

Findings

Skin temperature increased during compassion with a large effect size, indicating reduced sympathetic activity.

Psychosocial functioning in cancer survivors was comparable to non-clinical populations.

Results support the role of mindfulness in inducing positive affect and reducing stress.

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that mindfulness programs can be useful, in a significant sector of the population, to reduce stress when practiced for at least 8 weeks. The objective of the present investigation was to explore the effect of a single session of mindfulness practice in reducing stress in female cancer survivors. Two repeated measures studies were applied; in the first one, it was performed individually, while in the second one, it was performed in a group. Psychosocial measures were administered, and skin temperature was recorded as a marker of autonomic nervous activity. The results indicate that only when the mindfulness exercise was presented did the skin temperature increase (p < 0.05), with a large effect size (d > 0.8) during compassion, suggesting sympathetic decline. Furthermore, the psychosocial functioning of the group of female cancer survivors was like that of the non-clinical population. The data are discussed in the context of Polyvagal Theory, a theoretical model of biopsychosocial functioning, and evidence is provided on the effect of mindfulness and compassion on reducing stress and inducing positive affect in female cancer survivors.

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