Effects Of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Research Articles

The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on serum cortisol levels, depression, stress, and anxiety in type 2 diabetic older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak

Old age is rapidly increasing and is linked to with chronic diseases, especially diabetes. Diabetes is associated with increased anxiety, stress, and depression and, in turn, can increase cortisol secretion. To this end, the present research studied the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on serum cortisol levels, depression, anxiety, and stress in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) older adults during the COVID-19 epidemic. The participants in this interventional work were 56 older adult patients with type 2 diabetes chosen through systematic random sampling and then randomly divided into control and intervention groups containing equal members. In the intervention group, the participants attended eight mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training sessions. The subjects in the control group received no intervention. Since four patients left the study, only data for 52 patients were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and a demographic and disease information questionnaire. Data were examined with SPSS18 software using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, chi-square test, Fisher test, independent samples t-test, and two-way ANOVA; the significance was p<0.05. Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean scores of anxiety, stress, depression, and cortisol levels in the intervention group (p<0.00001) before, directly after, and three months after the intervention. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the mentioned variables in the control group. The mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention can improve anxiety, depression, stress, and cortisol levels in older adults suffering from T2DM.

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on parental stress during COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic causes a negative parenting response and impacts children’s social-emotional development. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used a randomized controlled trial. A total of 32 participants were recruited and randomly divided into intervention and control groups.

Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on adults with sleep disturbance: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveMindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a meditation-based therapy originally recommended for stress management. However, it is currently used to alleviate sleep disturbances. Therefore, this contemporary systematic review aimed to elucidate...

The efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction vs. standard or usual care in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has become an alternative intervention for cancer patients, but its impact on depression and quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MBSR vs. standard or usual care to relieve psychological stress in patients with breast cancer. According to the PICOS principles, databases [PubMed, Cochrane Database, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database] were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the evaluation of MBSR vs. standard or usual care for patients with breast cancer, the outcome variables included depression, stress, anxiety, fatigue, sleep and QOL. Review Manager 5.4 was used to evaluate the effects of the results among selected articles. Forest plots and funnel plots were also performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The final analysis included 14 studies with a total of 2,224 patients (1,138 in the MBSR group and 1,086 in the control group). The overall results of risk of bias assessment showed that the reporting bias among articles was high, and other bias was relatively moderate. Funnel plots and Egger's tests showed that there was no significant publication bias. Compared with standard or usual care, MBSR effectively relieved the psychological stress [mean difference (MD), -1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-2.53, -0.92); P<0.0001] and anxiety [standardized mean difference (SMD), -1.36; 95% CI: (-2.13, -0.60); P=0.0005] of breast cancer patients, and improved depression [SMD, -0.62; 95% CI: (-1.20, -0.03); P=0.04] and sleep status [MD, -0.42; 95% CI: (-0.73, -0.10), P=0.009]. However, it had no significant effect on fatigue [SMD, -0.97; 95% CI: (-2.24, 0.31); P=0.14] or QOL [MD, 1.95; 95% CI: (-3.15, 7.05); P=0.45]. MBSR was better than standard or usual care for relieving psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep in patients with breast cancer. Considering the limitations of this article, such as high risk of bias and high heterogeneity of included studies, the interpretation of this conclusion should be cautious.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Blood Pressure, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Hypertensive Adult Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study.

Hypertension is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular diseases. Patients with hypertension have a lower quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness meditation on blood pressure, mental health, and quality of life in patients with hypertension. This randomized clinical trial was performed in 2019 in Isfahan. Eighty adult women with Stage I or II hypertension were included and assigned randomly to 2 groups: 12 weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and routine care. At baseline and 1 week after the end of the intervention, blood pressure, stress, depression, anxiety, and quality of life of the studied participants were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test, the paired t-test, and the MANCOVA test. After the intervention, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with the baseline (142.82±11.01 mmHg vs 133.7±510.43 mmHg for systolic pressure and 86.12±8.24 mmHg vs 79.15±6.26 mmHg for diastolic pressure) and the control group (140.18±14.27 mmHg vs 142.15±10.23 mmHg for systolic pressure and 84.62±9.22 vs mmHg 88.51±8.54 mmHg for diastolic pressure; P=0.001). There was also a significant increase in quality of life, stress, anxiety, and depression scores in the intervention group (P<0.05). The 12-week MBSR program resulted in a significant reduction in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and improvement in mental health and different aspects of quality of life.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness-based stress reduction for arterial hypertension.

Arterial hypertension is a major public health issue. Non-pharmacological approaches like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) might be a promising addition to conventional therapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effects of MBSR on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among individuals with prehypertension or hypertension. We searched Medline/PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception until August 1st 2021. RCTs were included that compared MBSR to any control intervention in participants with diagnosed prehypertension (120-139/80-89 mmHg) or hypertension (≥140/≥90 mmHg). Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Risk of Bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Seven RCTs with 429 participants were included. Very low quality of evidence was found for positive effects of MBSR on SBP (MD = -11.26 mmHg, 95%CI = -20.24 to -2.29, p = 0.01) but no evidence for effects on DBP levels (MD = -3.62 mmHg, 95%CI = -8.52 to 1.29, p = 0.15) compared to waitlist control. Compared to active control, very low quality of evidence was found for positive effects on DBP (MD = -5.51 mmHg, 95%CI = -10.93 to -0.09, p = 0.05) but no effects on SBP levels (MD = -4.33 mmHg, 95%CI = -12.04 to 3.38, p = 0.27). Overall, the studies showed a high degree of heterogeneity. The effects found were robust against selection, detection, and attrition bias. Only one RCT reported safety data. MBSR may be an option for lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension to hypertension. More and larger high-quality studies are needed to substantiate our findings.

Clinically relevant effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in individuals with asthma

BackgroundPsychological distress and comorbid psychopathology contribute to exacerbation risk in patients with asthma. Thus, interventions designed to reduce stress and improve emotion regulation, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), may augment standard care. Few studies have addressed this question and a paucity of data exists to determine the ability of MBSR to impact clinical outcomes in asthma. MethodsThis randomized controlled trial investigated effects of MBSR training on asthma control and airway inflammation, in relation to psychological symptoms, in adults with asthma. Participants were randomized to an 8-week MBSR training (n = 35) or wait-list control group (n = 34). Clinically relevant asthma assessments, including Asthma Control Questionnaire and inflammatory biomarkers, were collected at baseline and six approximately-monthly follow-ups. Self-reported mindfulness, distress, depression, and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and study completion. Chronic stress level was determined at baseline only. ResultsAsthma control improved significantly in individuals randomized to MBSR, relative to wait-list controls (p = .01; effect size d = 0.76), which was maintained at 4mo post-intervention. 32% of MBSR participants achieved a clinically significant improvement, based on the ACQ6 Minimally Important Difference, relative to 12% of wait-list participants. Moreover, MBSR-related improvement in asthma control was associated with a reduction in distress (p = .043) and the intervention was most efficacious for those with the highest baseline depressive symptoms (p = .023). Importantly, MBSR also reduced levels of exhaled nitric oxide, a biomarker of airway inflammation, relative to wait-list controls (p < .05). ConclusionSupporting and extending extant evidence of mind-body relationships in asthma and the benefits of stress reduction for these patients, this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first RCT to demonstrate that training in MBSR improves clinically relevant asthma outcomes. MBSR may thus be a valuable addition to optimal asthma management, particularly for those with comorbid psychopathology. Clinical trial registrationNCT02157766.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Intervention in Distress Tolerance and Sensation-seeking in Adolescents With a Drug-addicted Parent

Background: Substance abuse of a family member can be effective as an observational model regarding the tendency to substance abuse in other family members. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention in distress tolerance and sensation-seeking in adolescents with an addicted parent in Ahvaz. Methods: This was a pre-test-post-test clinical trial study with a control group. The statistical population of the research comprised all adolescents with an addicted parent in Ahvaz City, Iran, in the school year 2019-2020. In this research, 30 adolescents with an addicted parent were selected through convenience sampling and equally divided into experimental and control groups (n=15). The distress tolerance scale and the sensation-seeking questionnaire were used to collect data. The experimental group underwent MBSR intervention for eight 60-minute sessions. The control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance through SPSS software, version 23. Results: The results suggested that MBSR was effective in increasing distress tolerance and reducing sensation seeking of adolescents with an addicted parent in Ahvaz (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Accordingly, this treatment can be used to reduce distress and sensation seeking in adolescents with an addicted parent and decrease their stress.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy, stress reduction in hypertension and prehypertension: a systematic review

Aim. To collect and analyze currently available clinical studies on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for lowering blood pressure in individuals with normal, high normal blood pressure and hypertension.Material and methods. The systematic review was prepared according to the PRISMA algorithm with minor modifications. The search algorithm included articles in Russian and English, indexed in the Pubmed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases. The study included studies on the impact of mindfulness interventions on blood pressure levels in individuals aged ≥18 years with an established diagnosis of hypertension, with normal (120-129/80-84 mm Hg) and high normal office blood pressure (130-139/85-89 mm Hg).Results. A total of 4785 publications were identified and included in the study, of which, after a multistage sampling, including screening of articles, 6 studies were included in a qualitative systematic review.Conclusion. Qualitative synthesis of the results of clinical studies revealed that the evidence currently available indicates a possible positive effect of mindfulness interventions on blood pressure levels in individuals with normal, high normal blood pressure and hypertension. However, further studies with larger samples and measurement of more primary and secondary endpoints are required.

Mindfulness-Based Student Training Improves Vascular Variability Associated With Sustained Reductions in Physiological Stress Response.

In today's fast-paced society, chronic stress has become an increasing problem, as it can lead to psycho-physiological health problems. University students are also faced with stress due to the demands of many courses and exams. The positive effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on stress management and self-regulation have already been studied. We have developed a new mindfulness intervention tailored for students—the Mindfulness-Based Student Training (MBST). In this study, we present longitudinal results of the MBST evaluation. Biosignal analysis methods, including pulse wave variability (PWV), heart rate variability, and respiratory activity, were used to assess participants' state of autonomic regulation during the 12-week intervention and at follow-up. The progress of the intervention group (IGR, N = 31) up to 3 months after the end of MBST was compared with that of a control group (CON, N = 34). In addition, the long-term effect for IGR up to 1 year after intervention was examined. The analysis showed significant positive changes in PWV exclusively for IGR. This positive effect, particularly on vascular function, persists 1 year after the end of MBST. These results suggest a physiologically reduced stress level in MBST participants and a beneficial preventive health care program for University students.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Patients With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on pain intensity, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic pain via randomized clinical trials. Methods: The study population consisted of all patients with chronic pain referred to Imam Reza Hospital. Of these patients, 50 cases who met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate in the study were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n=25) or control groups (n=25). After selecting the patients and randomly assigning them to the two groups, the research questionnaires were completed by the patients before and after the treatment. After obtaining a written consent letter from the research participants, the experimental group received MBSR therapy (8 weekly sessions) while the control group did not receive any intervention. The questionnaires included the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), the World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL) (WHOQOL-BREF), the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and the Beck depression inventory-2nd edition (BDI-II). To comply with the ethical principles, after the end of the study, MBSR therapy was administered to the control group as well. The data were analyzed via analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of covariance in the SPSS software, v. 19. Results: The results of the analysis showed that MBSR therapy reduces pain severity, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic pain (P&lt;0.05). The findings also showed that MBSR therapy improves the QoL of patients with chronic pain (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Along with the common medications for chronic pain, MBSR therapy can be used to improve the QoL and reduce the severity of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic pain.

COMPARISON EFFECTIVENESS OF MBSR AND CBT ON INTERLEUKIN 6 AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in developing countries. Research has shown that the level of oxidative stress and interleukin 6 (IL-6) is higher in individuals with hypertension than individuals with normal blood pressure. Therefore, the aim of the present randomized clinical trial study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on oxidative stress and interleukin 6. Sixty patients with primary hypertension were divided into two intervention groups (MBSR and CBT) and one control group. Oxidative stress and IL-6 were measured by prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) and ELISA method (Biovendor kit), respectively. Data analysis was carried out using ANOVA and MANCOVA in SPSS Ver.19. The results showed that MBSR significantly reduced oxidative stress. Also, MBSR and CBT significantly reduced IL-6 levels.

643-P: Perceived Usefulness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes management can be burdensome and stressful. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a method that has shown to help mitigate stress. This qualitative study, as part of a larger study, examined the effects of MBSR on stress in persons with DM2 participating in an 8-week MBSR course and explored how participants: Gained insight regarding their stress Identified aspects of MBSR perceived as useful for stress management Continued to incorporate mindfulness practice in their daily lives as a method of stress management (6 months and 1 year post-intervention) Study Population: 13 adults &amp;gt; 18 years with DM2 having a recent A1C &amp;gt;7% who committed to participate in an 8-week MBSR course. Study Design: Qualitative study exploring the effects of MBSR on stress in persons with DM2. Participants enrolled in an 8-week MBSR course completed open-ended questionnaires at orientation, mid-way, and upon completion of the course to assess learning and attitude towards stress. Video recordings of the classes were transcribed and analyzed. Participants completed the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) at the start and end of the course. Participants received follow-up at 6 and 12 months post intervention, including completing the MAAS and were surveyed about the incorporation of mindfulness into their daily lives. Results: Participants shared their realization of the effect of stress on their body and mind, and reported noticing patterns of reactivity, and learning to let go and respond rather than react to stressors. Participants’ reflections and observed behaviors illustrated increased self-awareness, curiosity, patience, less self-judgment, and compassion and kindness toward their experience. Participants reported incorporating mindfulness in their daily routine at 6 month and 12 month post intervention, including meditation, yoga, mindful eating, different response to stressful situations, and better focus. MAAS: Results indicated an increase in MAAS scores over time. Disclosure L.Ferrara: None. S.R.Kaufman: None. Funding Josiah Macy Foundation (P19014)

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Well-Being, Burnout and Stress of Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has overwhelmed healthcare systems and increased workload and distress in healthcare professionals (HCPs). The objective of this study was to evaluate baseline distress before and after the pandemic, and the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training on well-being (PGWBI), stress (PSS) and burnout (MBI) in Italian HCPs. Moreover, the “fear of COVID-19” (FCV-19S) questionnaire was administered to HCPs participating in the post-emergency MBSR program. Baseline distress results were moderate in all groups. No differences between baseline distress were observed between the groups of HCPs beginning the MBSR courses in the pre or post pandemic period. Total PGWBI lowered with aging. Additionally, FCV-19S positively correlated with age. MBSR was able to lower distress levels, except for depersonalization, which increased, while emotional exhaustion decreased in the group enrolled in the last post-pandemic MBSR course. Levels of fear of COVID-19 in HCPs significantly decreased after MBSR training. The lack of change in baseline distress over time indicates that it is more influenced by work-related distress than by the pandemic in our HCPs. In view of its beneficial effects on psycho-emotional status, MBSR training may represent an effective strategy to reduce distress in emergency periods as well as an essential part of HCPs’ general training.

Investigating the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on stress level and brain activity of college students.

Financial constraints usually hinder students, especially those in low-middle income countries (LMICs), from seeking mental health interventions. Hence, it is necessary to identify effective, affordable and sustainable counter-stress measures for college students in the LMICs context. This study examines the sustained effects of mindfulness practice on the psychological outcomes and brain activity of students, especially when they are exposed to stressful situations. Here, we combined psychological and electrophysiological methods (EEG) to investigate the sustained effects of an 8-week-long standardized Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on the brain activity of college students. We found that the Test group showed a decrease in negative emotional states after the intervention, compared to the no statistically significant result of the Control group, as indicated by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (33% reduction in the negative score) and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-42) scores (nearly 40% reduction of three subscale scores). Spectral analysis of EEG data showed that this intervention is longitudinally associated with increased frontal and occipital lobe alpha band power. Additionally, the increase in alpha power is more prevalent when the Test group was being stress-induced by cognitive tasks, suggesting that practicing MBSR might enhance the practitioners’ tolerance of negative emotional states. In conclusion, MBSR intervention led to a sustained reduction of negative emotional states as measured by both psychological and electrophysiological metrics, which supports the adoption of MBSR as an effective and sustainable stress-countering approach for students in LMICs.

Effect of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Method on Illness Perception and Rumination in Patients With Cancer

Background and Objectives Cancer is one of the most important diseases of the century. It is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Diagnosis of cancer followed by long treatment process is a stressful experience. This study aims to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy on illness perception and rumination in patients with cancer. Subjects and Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pre-test, post-test, follow-up design. The statistical population consists of all patients (males and females) with cancer in Ahvaz, Iran in 2021. Using a purposive sampling method, 40 were selected and divide into the experimental and control groups (20 in each group). To collect data, the illness perception questionnaire of Moss-Morris et al. (2003) and the ruminative response scale of Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1991) were used. The experimental group underwent MBSR (8 sessions 60 minutes), while the control group received no treatments. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results The MBSR was effective in improving illness perception and reducing rumination in patients (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion MBSR can be used to improve illness perception and reduce rumination in patients with cancer.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Posttraumatic Stress of Mothers With Premature Neonates Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Mothers experience posttraumatic stress disorder with the birth of a premature neonate. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on posttraumatic stress of mothers with premature neonates in Iran. Sixty mothers with premature neonates were selected by using convenience sampling and stratified random allocation. Mindfulness-based stress reduction was trained and mean posttraumatic stress disorder was measured. Mean posttraumatic stress scores of the 2 groups were statistically significant immediately and 1 month after the intervention (independent t test, P < .05). Posttraumatic stress of both groups reduced over time, but this reduction was more significant in the intervention group (repeated-measures analysis of variance, P < .05). Concerning the positive role of mindfulness-based stress reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder of mothers, it is recommended to use this approach in care programs of mothers with premature neonates.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Pathological Worry and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation in Students With Depression Symptoms

Background: High school students may experience stress, worry, anxiety, educational problems, and psychological damage because of high workload, expansive cognitive assignments, and being in a competitive space regarding their assignments and the university entrance exam. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on pathological worry and difficulty in emotion regulation in students with depression symptoms in Dehloran City, Iran. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study based on a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population comprised all 12-grade female students studying for the university entrance exam in the academic year of 2020-2021 in Dehloran City, Iran. A total of 45 students were selected through convenience sampling and randomly divided into MBSR, DBT, and control groups. The research instruments included the difficulties in emotion regulation scale, Penn State worry questionnaire, and Beck depression inventory-II. The data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The Mean±SD of the pathological worry for MBSR, DBT, and control groups in the posttest phase were 33.67±3.69, 31.00±3.87, and 37.78±3.96, respectively. Moreover, the Mean±SD of the difficulty in emotion regulation in the posttest phase for MBSR, DBT, and control groups were 62.00±6.18, 61.60±6.95, and 72.20±6.84, respectively. The results indicated that the differences between MBSR and DBT groups with the control group were significant in terms of the scores for pathological worry and difficulty in emotion regulation of the university entrance exam applicants with depression symptoms in the posttest stage (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: MBSR and DBT can be recommended to school counselors as effective interventions to improve emotion regulation and pathological worry in university entrance exam applicants with depression symptoms.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating MBSR for Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Their Caregiving Partners: Effects on Distress, Social support, Cortisol, and Inflammation

ObjectivesTo examine the preliminary effects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in the management of biopsychosocial stress–related changes associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) among patient/caregiving-partner dyads.MethodsPD patient/caregiving-partner dyads (N = 18) early in the disease trajectory were recruited from a university-affiliated movement disorders clinic and were randomized (1:1) to either the MBSR intervention or the control condition (treatment as usual [TAU]). Mixed methods ANOVAs were conducted to examine primary outcomes (disease-specific distress, perceived social support, circadian rhythmicity [cortisol], and markers of inflammation [IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta]) between groups (MBSR vs. TAU) among patients and caregiving partners separately.ResultsNo participants were lost to follow-up. Given the pilot nature of the current investigation, findings should be interpreted as exploratory opposed to confirmatory. Following MBSR, PD patients reported an increase in disease-specific distress and intrusive thoughts and demonstrated a decrease in mean bedtime cortisol and IL-1beta from baseline to follow-up compared to TAU. Caregiving partners who received MBSR reported an increase in perceived social support and demonstrated improved rhythmicity of diurnal cortisol slopes from baseline to follow-up compared to TAU.ConclusionsBoth patients and caregiving partners who received MBSR demonstrated improvements in biomarkers of circadian function, and patients evidenced a decrease in a biomarker of systemic inflammation, pointing to an important area of further investigation. Given that patients reported an increase in disease-specific distress and intrusive thoughts, the salutary effects of MBSR may be experienced physiologically prior to, or in lieu of, psychological effects, although this should be explored further, especially given the improvement in perceived social support reported by caregiving partners.

The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on mindfulness and stress levels of nursing students during first clinical experience.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on stress levels and mindfulness of nursing students. The study was quasi-experimental and included pretest-posttest control groups. No differences were detected between the pretest scores of the scales of the students of both groups. Students in the intervention group demonstrated increased mindfulness and decreased stress levels (p < 0.05). MBSR applied in the present study effectively reduced the stress of nursing students and increased their mindfulness.