Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) group intervention to reduce psychological distress as well as to strengthen self-esteem, resilience, and general well-being for individuals living with a chronic illness and/or other health challenges. This pilot study employed a pre–posttest design to evaluate the outcome of the intervention for individuals receiving care in a Community and Family Medicine department and a Women’s Health Centre located in an urban downtown hospital. A total of 42 patients were enrolled in the study and 35 participants completed the intervention. Thirty-five of 42 enrolled participants completed the intervention. Twenty-eight participants completed the pretest and posttest assessments, which demonstrated statistically significant improvement on most outcome measures, including the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Rating Scale (CES-D), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Affect Balance Scale (ABS), the Resilience Scale (RS), and the Five-Item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Large effect sizes were observed for the CES-D, the ABS, and the DASS Stress subscale. Observed improvements were sustained at 4 weeks posttreatment. Results are consistent with studies indicating that MBCT offers promise in alleviating psychological distress for those who are seeking care in primary health care settings. Continued focus on how to best implement MBCT in primary health care, particularly for those with comorbid physical and mental health conditions, supports the World Health Organization’s recommendation to integrate evidence-based mental health care within primary health care to promote equitable access to care for those most in need.
Highlights
It is well known that individuals living with chronic illness are at increased risk for psychological distress and mental health problems, which negatively affect the overall health of these individuals, as well as their capacity to function in everyday life (Kessler, Ormel, Demler, & Stang, 2003; Naylor et al, 2012; Vogeli et al, 2007)
It was hypothesized that participation in the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention would reduce psychological distress, depression and anxiety, as well as strengthen self-esteem, resilience, and general well-being for individuals living with a chronic illness and/or other health challenges
There were no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics or the baseline study variables between those who completed the intervention and those who dropped out
Summary
It is well known that individuals living with chronic illness are at increased risk for psychological distress and mental health problems, which negatively affect the overall health of these individuals, as well as their capacity to function in everyday life (Kessler, Ormel, Demler, & Stang, 2003; Naylor et al, 2012; Vogeli et al, 2007). Untreated psychological distress and mental health problems frequently follow a chronic course (Chapman, Perry, & Strine, 2005; Monroe, Slavich, Torres, & Gotlib, 2007), resulting in a tremendous level of burden for the individual, family, community, and health care system (Drake, Bond, Thornicroft, Knapp, & Goldman, 2012). SAGE Open suggest that access to quality care is limited; with the institutional and professional separation of mental and physical health care resulting in fragmented approaches to care (Naylor et al, 2012; Vasiliadis, Tempier, Lesage, & Kates, 2009; Vogeli et al, 2007)
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