Meditation May Ease Pain and Anxiety from Biopsy
A new study from the Duke Cancer Institute that was published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology evaluated 121 women who listened to recorded meditation or music or received standard care during image-guided needle biopsies. The study was conducted to compare these additions to see which was more effective during the breast cancer biopsies.
The meditation focused on creating positive emotions and dispelling negative feelings, while the music was a patient’s choice of instrumental jazz, classical piano, harp and flute, nature sounds or world music. The other standard care included a health care worker offering casual conversation and support.
This technique was tested because “Image-guided needle biopsies for diagnosing breast cancer are very efficient and successful, but the anxiety and potential pain can have a negative impact on patient care,” one researcher said. Drugs could be used to deal with the anxiety and pain, but want to be avoided, due to the sedating effects.
For more information, read the full study.
