Insomnia and Inflammation in Breast Cancer Survivors: Tai Chi and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

By: Chris Schimpf, BS
Posted: Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Citing the prevalence of insomnia among breast cancer survivors and its role in contributing to inflammation, new research published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity suggests that both tai chi and cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective in treating insomnia within this patient population and reducing inflammation and the risk of inflammatory disease that may increase the risk of cancer recurrence. Michael R. Irwin, MD, of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and colleagues found in their randomized clinical trial that tai chi demonstrated more significant, sustained reductions in inflammation among participants, whereas cognitive behavioral therapy increased participants’ antiviral gene transcripts, potentially improving the body’s defenses against infections.

“Effective treatment of insomnia has potent impacts on the immune system,” said Dr. Irwin in a UCLA press release. “Further research that examines the combined benefit of tai chi and cognitive behavioral therapy is needed, especially in cancer survivors who are at risk for inflammatory disorder as well as infectious disease.”

A total of 90 female survivors of breast cancer were included in the study, randomly assigned to undergo 3 months of either tai chi (n = 45) or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (n = 45). Participants were then followed for 1 year.

The investigators reported that insomnia treatment resulted in decreases in Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4–stimulated monocyte production of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and co-expression of both among participants in both groups. The treatment also yielded decreases in participants’ Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) RNA profiles, decreases in inflammatory gene transcripts, and increases in antiviral gene transcripts (P < .01 for all). In addition, greater decreases in plasma IL-6 (P < .05), TLR-4–activated monocyte production of IL-6, and co-expression of IL-6 and TNF-α were observed among participants who practiced tai chi. Conversely, greater increases in antiviral gene transcripts were observed with cognitive behavioral therapy.

Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

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