# Mindfulness Meditation for Younger Breast Cancer Survivors:  Testing Digital Interventions in Clinical and Community Settings

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $515,404

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in younger women (≤ 50 years at time of diagnosis), who comprise
approximately 19% of incident breast cancer cases. Improved survival after a breast cancer diagnosis has
focused attention on the impact of the disease and its treatments on long-term outcomes in younger women.
Studies have consistently shown that younger women have greater psychological and physical morbidity after
breast cancer than older women and age-matched women with no cancer history, including elevated levels of
depression. Depression has been linked to treatment non-adherence and predicts shorter recurrence-free and
overall survival in women with breast cancer, highlighting its clinical relevance. Younger breast cancer survivors
also report high levels of fatigue, insomnia, vasomotor symptoms, and cancer-related stress that may persist for
years after diagnosis, causing significant impairment in quality of life. There is a critical need for effective,
scalable interventions that can reduce depression and enhance long-term survivorship in this vulnerable group.
To meet this need, we will conduct a phase III randomized clinical trial testing two new digital versions of a brief
mindfulness intervention designed for younger breast cancer survivors. This study concept has been peer-
reviewed and endorsed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the NRG Oncology National Community
Oncology Research Program (NCORP) which will implement the study protocol through its network of community
and clinical sites, ensuring a broad and diverse group of participants. The Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs)
intervention has demonstrated efficacy in reducing depression and improving physical and psychological well-
being in younger breast cancer survivors when delivered in person, in groups. We have developed and pilot
tested two digital versions of the intervention, one delivered live online in groups over Zoom with an experienced
instructor (MAPs live online), and the other delivered via a professionally-produced app (MAPs App). We
hypothesize that both digital interventions will be effective in reducing depressive symptoms (primary outcome)
and improving physical and psychological symptoms and work productivity (secondary outcomes) at post-
intervention and over a 6-month follow-up relative to a meditation only control group. In addition to testing
efficacy, we will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these programs, which is critical for payors to make coverage
decisions, healthcare providers and employers to make adoption decisions, and patients to make participation
decisions. We will also collect implementation data from study sites to inform future dissemination efforts.
Finally, we will explore potential mediators and moderators of intervention effects to determine how these
approaches work and for whom, which will facilitate targeted intervention delivery and content to those most
likely to benefit.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10882389
- **Project number:** 1R01CA282416-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** JULIENNE E BOWER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $515,404
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10882389

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10882389, Mindfulness Meditation for Younger Breast Cancer Survivors:  Testing Digital Interventions in Clinical and Community Settings (1R01CA282416-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10882389. Licensed CC0.

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