Effects Of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Research Articles

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program on Anxiety and Depression and HRQoL among Cancer Patients in Malaysia.

Anxiety and depression are common among cancer patients and impact health-related quality of life. MBSR has long been used to treat psychological illnesses in various therapeutic settings worldwide. However, there is no solid evidence of MBSR effects among cancer patients in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study intervened in the five weeks of MBSR on cancer patients in Penang. Results found that the MBSR Intervention group had lower anxiety and depression compared to the waitlist. However, the HRQOL result was inconclusive. These findings support the use of the MBSR program for Anxiety and Depression among cancer patients. However, HRQOL needs further investigation. Keywords: MBSR, HRQOL, Cancer Patients, Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i18.3072

Mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for elementary school teachers: a mixed method study

BackgroundIn the Netherlands, more than half of the teachers working in primary education experience high levels of work stress. Compared to other professions, teachers are more likely to drop out from work and develop mental illnesses. Almost one in five even choose a new profession within 5 years after starting as a teacher. This indicates an urgent need for interventions to reduce stress levels in teachers. However, few evidence-based effective interventions targeting stress and work-related problems in the primary educational system are available.AimIn the current paper, we describe the protocol for a randomized controlled study (RCT) comparing an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention with a wait list control condition in primary school teachers. We hypothesize that teachers who participate in the MBSR programme will report less stress (primary outcome) than those in the control group at post-test and at 3-month follow-up. We also expect a decrease in teachers’ absenteeism and improvements of mental health, teacher skills, classroom climate quality and the pupil-teacher relationship (secondary outcomes). Finally, we hypothesize that self-compassion, mindfulness skills and emotion regulation skills could mediate effects.Methods/designA mixed-method study will be conducted among N=155 Dutch primary school teachers (grade 1 to 6). The quantitative study will be an RCT, in which teachers will be randomly allocated to the MBSR or waiting list control condition. Trial participants will not be made actively aware of their condition. The data analysts will be blinded. Online questionnaires will be sent to teachers before and after the MBSR programme, and at 3-month follow-up. Information about absenteeism will be collected. In the qualitative part of the study, we will interview teachers to examine their perceived effects of MBSR on their teaching skills, the classroom climate quality and the pupil-teacher relationship.DiscussionThis protocol paper describes a mixed-method study design with an RCT and a qualitative evaluation to evaluate an MBSR programme on perceived stress among primary school teachers. If the MBSR programme proves to be effective, it could be implemented as a programme to reduce stress and improve mental health and teaching outcomes in primary school teachers.Trial registrationNederland Trial Register NL. Registered on 19 November 2019—retrospectively registered, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8171

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Stress, Heart Rate Variability, Affect, and Wellbeing among People with Schizophrenia.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs have been found to be effective in reducing the stress response and improving the psychological wellbeing of various populations. We aimed to confirm the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on perceived stress, heart rate variability, positive and negative affect, and subjective wellbeing of community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. The participants in this study were 26 people with schizophrenia (experimental group: 14, control group: 12) enrolled in two community mental health centers located in Gyeonggi Province in South Korea. In the experimental group, the mindfulness-based stress reduction program was applied once a week for 60 min over 8 weeks. The experimental group showed a significantly greater decrease in perceived stress and negative affect, as well as significantly greater improvement in heart rate variability than the control group. The mindfulness-based stress reduction program was an effective nursing intervention to reduce stress and negative affect in people with schizophrenia.

Mindfulness Training Associated With Resting-State Electroencephalograms Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-Scan.

Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been proven to improve mental health and quality of life. This study examined how mindfulness training and various types of mindfulness practices altered brain activity.Methods: Specifically, the spectral powers of scalp electroencephalography of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group (n=17) who underwent an 8-week MBSR training—including mindful breathing and body-scan—were evaluated and compared with those of the waitlist controls (n=14).Results: Empirical results indicated that the post-intervention effect of MBSR significantly elevated the resting-state beta powers and reduced resting-state delta powers in both practices; such changes were not observed in the waitlist control. Compared with mindful breathing, body-scanning resulted in an overall decline in electroencephalograms (EEG) spectral powers at both delta and low-gamma bands among trained participants.Conclusion: Together with our preliminary data of expert mediators, the aforementioned spectral changes were salient after intervention, but mitigated along with expertise. Additionally, after receiving training, the MBSR group’s mindfulness and emotion regulation levels improved significantly, which were correlated with the EEG spectral changes in the theta, alpha, and low-beta bands. The results supported that MBSR might function as a unique internal processing tool that involves increased vigilant capability and induces alterations similar to other cognitive training.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Self-Determination Needs and Academic Burnout among Students Showing Depressive Symptoms

Background : The satisfaction of self-determination needs and alleviation of academic burnout help students reduce/adjust the stress and psychological pressure resulting from studies and the university entrance examinations. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on self-determination needs and academic burnout among students showing depressive symptoms in Dehloran (Iran). Methods : In this experimental study, the statistical population comprised all female twelfth-grade high-school students studying for the university entrance exam in Dehloran, Iran in the academic year 2020-21. The sample consisted of 45 students showing depressive symptoms who were selected by convenience sampling, and then randomly divided into two experimental (MBSR and DBT) and a control group (n=15 each). Either MBSR or DBT intervention was administered to the experimental groups, but the control group received no intervention. The research instruments included the Self-Determination Needs Scale, Academic Burnout Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results : The results showed that MBSR and DBT both positively affected the self-determination needs (F=92.44, Pvalue=0.001) and academic burnout (F=68.54, Pvalue=0.001) of students studying for the university entrance exam and showing depressive symptoms. According to the results, MBSR was more effective in students' self-determination and academic burnout (Pvalue=0.01). Conclusions : It was found that both MBSR and DBT can help improve the self-determination needs and academic burnout of female high-school students studying for the university entrance exam and showing depressive symptoms. Keywords: Mindfulness, Dialectical behavior therapy, Self-determination, Depression, Students

Quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorder: influence of age, sex, and a controlled, randomized mindfulness-based stress reduction pilot intervention.

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consistently report worse functional health and well-being, compared to neurotypical (NT) peers. In a series of studies, we aimed to elucidated the effects of sex, age, and their interaction on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving health-, disability-, and autism-related QoL, with possible sex and age outcome moderators, in adults with ASD. Study 1 used the 36-Item Short Form Survey to compare mental and physical HRQoL composite scores in adults with ASD (n = 67) and matched NT adults (n = 66). Study 2 was a randomized pilot evaluation of the effect of MBSR, compared to an active control intervention with social support and relaxation education (support/education; n = 56), on the World Health Organization QoL BREF, Disability, and Autism-Specific scales in adults with ASD. In Study 1, we replicated findings that mental HRQoL is worse in both men and women with ASD, compared to NT counterparts, but physical HRQoL is only worse in women with ASD. We present novel findings that older age is associated with better mental HRQoL in women with ASD only. In Study 2, MBSR improved disability-related QoL in adults with ASD over and above the support/education intervention, but both interventions improved mental HRQoL. Lastly, both interventions were more effective for HRQoL improvements in women with ASD. Findings encourage precision medicine approaches tailored to age and sex groups for best HRQoL outcomes in adults with ASD. gov Identifier: NCT04017793.

The Effects of a Standardized Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and an Additional Mindfulness-Based Training on Interoceptive Abilities in a Depressed Cohort.

Background: Interoceptive accuracy and sensibility are decreased in depressive samples. However, different studies showed that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness interventions are promising approaches to improve interoceptive abilities. Based on these findings, the study aims to investigate the pre–post effect of CBT in a depressive sample. Additionally, we examined the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training in the context of CBT. Methods: Sixty depressive patients were investigated over four weeks, with two conditions—CBT vs. CBT + MBSR. Further, the changes in interoceptive abilities (interoceptive accuracy and sensibility) of the depressive patients were compared to baseline data of healthy controls. Results: The depressive patients showed significantly higher levels of depression and lower mindfulness and interoceptive abilities than healthy controls. The depressive sample showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and increased mindfulness and interoceptive abilities after CBT. Lastly, depressive patients of the CBT + MBSR condition did not differ from those who only received CBT in the levels of depression, mindfulness or interoceptive abilities over the time course. Discussion: This study demonstrates a positive effect of CBT on interoceptive abilities in a depressive sample. It is shown that the depressive sample did not profit from additional mindfulness training. It can be concluded that CBT is an efficient treatment, resulting in increased interoceptive abilities. Unexpectedly, the combination of CBT and MBSR has no additional effect on these changes. Future studies should investigate the effect of MBSR as a stand-alone therapy.

Clinical Observation on the Nursing Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Combined with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Uremic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Influence on Nutritional Status.

Objective To explore the nursing effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) combined with solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) in uremic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and its influence on nutritional status. Methods A prospective study was conducted on 108 uremia patients undergoing PD who were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Wenling from March 2018 to December 2020. In accordance with the wishes of the patients, according to random number method, the patients were divided into control group (n = 54) and experimental group (n = 54). Patients in the control group were given routine care. Patients in the experimental group were given MBSR combined with SFBT. The clinical data, biochemical indicators, complication, compliance, nutritional status, and quality of life of the two groups were compared. Results After intervention, the serum hemoglobin, serum albumin levels, and urea clearance index of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had a lower incidence of complications (P < 0.05). After intervention, the compliance score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the malnutrition inflammation score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life-36 scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion MBSR combined with SFBT has a good nursing effect in uremia patients undergoing PD and can increase the patient's treatment compliance, improve the quality of life, and improve the nutritional status.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Cognitive Flexibility and Sleep Quality in the Elderly Men

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction as one of the effective and new methods in improving cognitive flexibility and sleep quality in the elderly. It was a quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest and control group design. The statistical population of the study included all elderly men in Dezful in 2018. The samples of this study consisted of 30 men elderlies (60-70 Ages) who were selected through available sampling and according to inclusion criteria. The experimental group received eight ninety-minute sessions during two months while the control group didn’t receive this intervention during conducting the study. The applied questionnaires in the study included [1] Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Cognitive Flexibility Scale. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance. The findings showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction could significantly improve cognitive flexibility and sleep quality. based on the findings, it can be concluded that mindfulness-based stress reduction can be considered as an effective intervention to improve cognitive flexibility and sleep quality in the elderly men.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Association Between Autonomic Interoceptive Signals and Emotion Regulation Selection.

The ability to select the most adaptive regulatory strategy as a function of the emotional context plays a pivotal role in psychological health. Recently, we showed that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can improve the sensitivity of regulatory strategy selection to emotional intensity. However, the mechanisms underlying this improvement are unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MBIs support adaptive regulatory selection by increasing sensitivity to interoceptive signals associated with the emotional stimuli. Participants (n = 84, mean [standard deviation {SD}] age = 30.9 [8.3] years; 54% women) were randomized to either a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program or a wait-list control condition. Before and after the MBSR program, physiological measures for autonomic nervous system activity were obtained, and participants performed a task examining emotion regulation selections (reappraisal versus distraction) when confronted with low or high negative intensity images. They also completed a battery of mindfulness, interoception, and well-being self-report measures. A cross-classified model was used for the main analyses. The participants assigned to the MBSR were overall more likely to choose reappraisal than distraction (b = 0.26, posterior SD = 0.13, 95confidence interval = 0.02-0.52) after the program. Interoceptive signals in response to negative images were associated with subsequent regulatory selections (b = 0.02, posterior SD = 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 0.01-0.03) in the MBSR group. Specifically, lower cardiac reactivity was associated with the choice to reappraise, whereas higher cardiac reactivity was related to the choice to distract. Greater differences in cardiac reactivity between states that prompt reappraisal and states that prompt distraction were associated with higher well-being (Satisfaction With Life Scale, Pearson r (29) = 0.527, p = .003). Mindfulness seems to increase the sensitivity of regulatory selections to interoceptive signals, and this is associated with subjective well-being. This may be a central pathway through which MBIs exert their positive effects on mental health and resilience.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on Hope, Psychological Well-Being, and Functional Recovery in Patients with Schizophrenia.

This study tested the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on multiple outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. We compared MBSR, psychoeducation, and control groups in a randomized controlled research design. Outcome measures assessed hope, psychological wellbeing, and functional recovery over three time points in 137 participants. The results of this study indicate that MBSR training was more effective in terms of increasing the level of hope, psychological well-being, and functional recovery of schizophrenia patients when compared with psychoeducation and control patients.

Efficacy of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on fear of emotions and related cognitive behavioral processes in Chinese University students: A randomized controlled trial

AbstractFear of losing control over one's emotions has gained increased research interest. Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found to improve emotional disturbance in clinical and nonclinical samples. However, no studies have concurrently examined the direct effects of MBSR on reduced fear of emotions among university students in Chinese culture, as well as its indirect effects on reduced fear of emotions via improvements in the cognitive‐behavioral processes. A total of 106 college students were randomly assigned to MBSR or to a control group. Assignment to the MBSR intervention led to increases in mindfulness and decentering, and decreases in rumination, emotion regulation difficulties, Affective Control Scale (ACS)‐anger, ACS‐depression, ACS‐anxiety, ACS‐positive emotion and total ACS score, as compared to the control group. The reduction of fear of positive emotion was less than that in fear of anger, depression and anxiety. MBSR was effective to reduce the fear of emotions in college students. Moreover, college students in Chinese culture tended to have a more moderate experience of positive emotions. Attention (mindfulness) and thought (decentering and rumination) may be possible cognitive mechanisms for explaining how MBSR may reduce fear of emotions in college students. Our findings provide important information that can be applied to the design of future studies or mental health resources for reducing fear of emotions in university programs.

Pre-retirement Employees Experience Lasting Improvements in Resilience and Well-Being After Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

The socio-economic benefits of interventions to prevent stress and related mental health problems are enormous. In the labor market, it is becoming desirable to keep employees for as long as possible. Since aging implies additional stressors such as increased risk of illness, and added pressure by professional tasks such as transferring knowledge, or learning new technologies, it is of particular relevance to offer stress-reduction to pre-retirement employees. Here, we report the effects of an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on mental well-being in 60–65-year-old work-active Danish employees, compared to a waiting-list control group. We observed improvements in resilience (Brief Resilience Scale) and mental well-being (WHO-5) not only at the end of the intervention, but also at the 12-month follow-up measurement that was preceded by monthly booster sessions. Interestingly, whereas well-being usually refers to experiences in the past weeks or months, we observed increasing Comfort in the MBSR-intervention group during a 5-minute eyes-closed rest session suggesting that this therapeutic effect of MBSR is measurable in how we feel even during short periods of time. We argue that MBSR is a cost-effective intervention suited for pre-retirement employees to cultivate resilience to prevent stress, feel more comfortable with themselves, maintain a healthy work-life in the last years before retirement, and, potentially, stay in their work-life a few more years than originally planned.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on “Coping Behaviors” and “Attachment” of Mothers of Neonates with Congenital Anomalies: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Reduction of stress in mothers of neonates with congenital anomalies is necessary to improve their coping behaviors and attachment to their neonates. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on “coping behaviors” and attachment of mothers of neonates with congenital anomalies. Methods: This randomized clinical trial (code: IRCT20190123042471N1) was conducted on 70 mothers of neonates with congenital anomalies under medical treatment in two medical-education centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2019. The subjects were selected based on the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control (n=35 per group). The intervention group, which included 10 subgroups of 1-3 subjects, received a modified four-session MBSR program (once a week, 1-1.5 h per session). The control group received routine care in the hospital during their hospitalization. The Coping Health Inventory for Parents questionnaire and Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale tool were completed by the intervention and control groups, both before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 25.0) using multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The MBSR program affected the pattern of coping behaviors and maternal-neonatal attachment. There was an increase in the mean scores of coping behaviors and maternal-neonatal attachment in the intervention group, compared to the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: The MBSR program is recommended as a cost-effective and reliable method for promoting coping behaviors and attachment of mothers to their neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units.

The use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for lung cancer patients: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention has been extensively applied in cancer patients for relieving symptom burden and its effectiveness has also been demonstrated. However, the effectiveness of MBSR on psychological and physical functions in lung cancer patients has not yet been determined. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to determine the role of MBSR in lung cancer patients. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledgement Infrastructure (CNKI) will be carried out from their inception until to December 30, 2020. Studies investigating the comparative effects between MBSR and control groups on psychological and physical outcomes will be documented. Data concerning studies, patient characteristics, and outcomes will be extracted. Methodological quality of each eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be assessed individually by two investigators independently using criteria recommended in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0. Meanwhile, Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) will be used to assess methodological quality of non-randomized studies. All statistical analyses will be performed with RevMan and STATA softwares. The role of MBSR in lung cancer patients has not yet been demonstrated. This systematic review and meta-analysis will further determine the effectiveness of MBSR on psychological and physical outcomes and QoL among lung cancer patients, which will provide golden references for developing psychological interventions in order to improve patient care and designing future studies to bridge the gap between research findings and clinical practice. We registered the protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis in Open Science Framework (OSF) platform with a registration DOI of 10.17605/OSF.IO/MWVBQ (available from: https://osf.io/mwvbq).

Beneficial effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on optic disc perfusion in primary open angle glaucoma: A randomized controlled trial

Background and aimGlaucoma is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide. Next to intraocular pressure (IOP), vascular factors play a major role in glaucoma. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to reduce the IOP, normalize the stress biomarkers, modulate gene expression, and also improve the quality of life. This study was aimed to assess the effect of MBSR in optic disc perfusion of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Experimental procedurePOAG patients with controlled IOP (<21 mmHg) were randomised in to intervention group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30). Both the groups continued their routine glaucoma medications while the intervention group practiced 45 min of MBSR every day in addition. IOP and optic disc perfusion using OCT-Angiography were recorded at baseline and at 6 weeks for both the groups. ResultsThe mean age of the participants were 53.23 ± 8.4yr in intervention and 50.23 ± 7.3yr in the control group (p = 0.06). All the baseline parameters were comparable in both groups. After MBSR, in the intervention group there was a significant reduction of IOP (p=0.001), increase in circum-papillary vessel density in superior quadrant (15.8%–17.4%, p=0.02) and nasal quadrant (14.2%–16.5%, p=0.01), increase in circum papillary vascular perfusion, in superior quadrant (38.9%–41.1%, p<0.001), in temporal quadrant (42.2%–44.5%, p<0.001), in inferior quadrant (40.1%–43.8%, p<0.001), and in nasal quadrant (40.6%–42.8%, p<0.001). There was also a significant increase in Flux Index after 6weeks (0.38–0.40, p<0.001). ConclusionMBSR can reduce barotrauma and improve optic disc perfusion in POAG patients and serve as a useful adjunct to the standard medical therapy.

The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on resilience of vulnerable women at drop-in centers in the southeast of Iran

BackgroundFemale sex workers and addicted women are among the vulnerable groups who impose high costs on the health system of every society. They are prone to psychological problems such as anxiety, stress, and reduced resilience due to their lifestyles. Since mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been applied frequently by many psychotherapists to treat stress and anxiety, the present study investigated the effectiveness of MBSR on resilience of the vulnerable women.MethodsThe statistical population of this quasi-experimental study consisted of all eligible women who referred to the drop-in centers in Kerman in the southeast of Iran. Followed by random sampling, 63 vulnerable women were randomly assigned into the intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 33) groups. The MBSR intervention was conducted for the intervention group in eight 90-min sessions. Demographic information questionnaire and Connor-Davidson resilience scale were administered to collect data prior to and one month after the MBSR intervention.ResultsThe pre-test resilience score was not significantly different between the intervention (53.40 ± 10.49) and the control (54.5 ± 9.27) groups (t = 0.43, p = 0.66). However, the posttest resilience score in the intervention group (60.66 ± 6.71) was significantly higher than the control group (53.88 ± 7.54) (t = 3.58, P = 0.001). Moreover, a comparison between the pretest and posttest scores revealed a significant decrease in resilience scores of the control group (t = 2.81, p = 0.009).ConclusionSince MBSR intervention increased resilience of the vulnerable women in the intervention group, researchers, managers, counselors, community health nurses, and psychiatric nurses are suggested to implement related interventions to promote the health of women, especially vulnerable ones.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Health and Social Care Education: a Cohort-Controlled Study.

ObjectivesMindfulness practice has been recommended as part of health and social care education and training because of its potential benefits in fostering clinical skills and attitudes, increasing self-care, and reducing the effect of stress in education and occupation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on stress, physical distress, job burnout, work engagement, and empathy for health and social care education.MethodsStudents (N = 124) from postgraduate programs in social work, counseling, and family therapy were recruited. Sixty-four students participated in an 8-week MBSR program as an elective course. Sixty students were recruited from other elective courses in the same cohort as control group participants. All participants completed self-report assessments.ResultsThe results suggested that MBSR was associated with significant improvements in perceived efficacy and vigor and significant reductions in physical distress, total job burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization of clients compared with the control group.ConclusionsThis study contributes to the growing body of literature highlighting the potential use of mindfulness practice to improve students’ personal well-being and professional growth in health and social care education. Mindfulness practice should be further promoted in health and social care education and training.

Perceptions of Injured Athletes after Eight Weeks of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program

Background: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been extensively applied as a clinical intervention by researchers’ who have made on-the-spot decisions research as part of their practice. This research was provided via a knowledge transfer of 8 weeks of MBSR based on the original MBSR version. The main objective of this study was to offer a qualitative explorative insight into the perceived experience of participating in a MBSR program for injured athletes. Procedure: A Semi Structured Interview was conducted with each injured athlete who participated in this study. A Thematic Analysis was applied to explore the themes which emerged from injured athletes’ experiences after 8 weeks of participation in a MBSR program.Results: Five themes emerged from injured athletes’ attitudes towards MBSR: 1) Reconnecting with the body, 2) Reconnecting with the mind, 3) Passivity of MBSR as opposed to the athletic praxis, 4) Group versus self-guided MBSR, 5) Acceptance of pain. These different themes are presented and discussed below. Conclusion: This particular qualitative exploratory investigation was based on injured athletes’ experiences in this study; MBSR can benefit them during the sport rehabilitation process. As such, the findings will promote scientific understanding about the effectiveness of MBSR as a clinical intervention. It should also be noted that, more investigation is required to find out about the role of mindfulness meditation in terms of therapeutic aspects with injured athletes.

The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the urinary microbiome in interstitial cystitis.

The objective was to investigate the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on the urinary microbiome of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. In this Institutional Review Board-approved prospective cohort study, patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome were recruited to attend an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course involving yoga and meditation. Eligible participants were English-speaking women aged 18 or older with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. All participants had a negative urinalysis within 2months of enrollment and were currently undergoing first- or second-line treatment at the time of recruitment. The mindfulness-based stress reduction course met weekly for 1h. A straight-catheter urine sample was obtained prior to and following the mindfulness-based stress reduction series. DNA from urine samples underwent bacterial 16S ribosomal gene sequencing at Johns Hopkins University Laboratories followed by taxonomic abundance and diversity analysis by Resphera Biosciences Laboratory. Participants completed validated symptom questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. A total of 12 participants completed the 8-week course and were included in the analysis. The average age was 59 and the majority identified as white. Patient symptoms, measured by the Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form and Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Pain Indices, improved significantly (all p < 0.05). Overall composition of the urinary microbiome changed significantly (p < 0.01) and demonstrated an increase in diversity following the intervention. Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy improves patient symptoms and was associated with significant changes in the urinary microbiome in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.