Practicing 20 minutes of mindful breathing reduced pain and anxiety for people with different types of cancer in a recent small-scale study. For the study, 21 participants practiced 20 minutes of guided mindful-breathing therapy, which included identifying the in-breath and out-breath, following the full length of the breath, focusing on the body, and relaxing it. The other 19 participants engaged in 20 minutes of supportive listening sessions with a doctor.

Researchers found that those who’d engaged in mindful breathing experienced an average 14 percent decrease in pain intensity and a 20 percent decrease in pain unpleasantness. They also had less overall anxiety. Those in the listening group saw some benefit in these areas, but not as much.

Though this study was small and included people with various types of cancer, it builds on past studies about the potential benefits of mindfulness practices. A 2016 study that found mindfulness meditation significantly reduced both pain intensity and unpleasantness through unique brain mechanisms​. Moreover, a 2021 study found that 20 to 30 minutes of mindfulness practice helped reduce fatigue in people with blood cancers, including leukemia.

Pain Relief Without Side Effects

These findings suggest that incorporating mindful breathing into your daily routine could offer modest pain relief. For people living with leukemia, pain can be a common and challenging symptom. While medications like opioids are often used for relief, nondrug interventions such as mindful breathing may offer some assistance without added side effects. Experiences will vary from person to person, depending on their specific diagnosis and health.

If you’re managing pain related to leukemia, consider discussing this approach with your health care provider as part of your overall pain management plan.

Learn more about causes of pain with leukemia and the various treatments that can help.

Find Your Team

On MyLeukemiaTeam, the social network for people living with leukemia and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with leukemia.

Have you tried mindfulness techniques like guided breathing for symptom relief? What has helped you manage pain, fatigue, or anxiety? Share your tips and experiences in a comment below, start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.