Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction

Abstract

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a community-based or worksite program, is a group intervention for individuals experiencing stress related to a range of life experiences, medical conditions, or psychological symptoms.Participants learn and practice specific techniques that help them manage and reduce stress and improve their ability to cope with challenging circumstances. EVIDENCEThis program has been tested with a range of populations including non-clinical samples, such as college students, community residents, and health care employees and clinical samples, such as individuals with cancer, chronic pain, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, and HIV. Positive effects, such as reduction in physical or psychological symptoms and/or improvement in life satisfaction, have been found in all of these populations. A small randomized trial with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found that a significantly greater percentage of MBSR participants experienced clinically meaningful improvement in both PTSD symptoms and mental health-related quality of life at the 4-month follow-up compared to a group receiving treatment as usual. COMPONENTSThe MBSR program is based on the central concept of mindfulness, which involves focusing one's attention on the immediate experience in the present moment rather than the past or future with an attitude of openness, acceptance, and compassion. The program consists of three main components.Explanation of mindfulness, relaxation, meditation, yoga, and the mind-body connection;Instruction in and practice of meditation, gentle stretching, and yoga during the meetings and also as a daily, homebased practice; participants receive materials for home practice including CDs and a workbook; and Group discussion focused on problem-solving for barriers to effective practice of the above techniques; practical, daily applications of mindfulness; and supportive interaction between participants. PREVIOUS USEMore than 19,000 individuals have completed the MBSR intervention since it was initiated in 1979. As of November 2011, there were more than 700 MBSR programs in the U.S. and other nations, and program materials have been translated into many languages. MBSR has been used by members of all branches of the U.S. military.

The relationship between trauma and health-related quality of life in lung cancer patients : the potential protective role of mindfulness.

“…This model proposed that mindfulness may promote well-being and health through several pathways, not just through metacognitive awareness. In this respect, mindfulness potentially exerts direct effects on several domains such as appraisal, emotional outcomes and health outcomes (Salmon, Sephton & Dreeben, 2011). This model is in line with the mindfulness stress-buffering hypothesis that posits that mindfulness both mitigates stress appraisals and reduces stress reactivity (Creswell & Lindsay, 2014).…”

“…This model proposes that mindfulness functions to foster heightened awareness of potential stressors and promotes skillful responses to these stressors instead of engaging in reflexive distress (Salmon, Sephton & Dreeben, 2011). This model proposed that mindfulness may promote well-being and health through several pathways, not just through metacognitive awareness.…”

“…Figure 1 demonstrates how mindfulness may serve to take an individual from passive, avoidant or reactive coping methods to active, focused and responsive management of difficult events (Salmon, Sephton, & Dreeben, 2011). This shifting perception not only impacts the presentmoment coping with stressful events, but can also affect future health-related outcomes as well.…”

Experiences with a universal mindfulness and well-being programme at a UK medical school

“…Early programmes based on MBSR have been offered to medical students as electives [Salmon et. al., 2011;Rosenzweig et al,2003;Shapiro et al ,2007] but in the last few years, programmes offered as part of the core curriculum have been developed, evaluated, and shown to have a positive effect on many indicators of mental health and professionalism [Salmon et al, 2011;Hassed et al, 2009;de Vibe et al, 2013].…”

The relationship between dispositional mindfulness and eating : an analysis of self-reported and in vivo eating behaviors in undergraduate females.

“…Their original model proposes that appraisal and coping are mediating processes that influence both immediate effects (e.g., emotional and physiological responses) and long-term effects (e.g., health and well-being). The importance of stress perception and appraisal in health outcomes was subsequently introduced in the context of mindfulness by Kabat-Zinn (1990, p.265) (Salmon, Sephton, & Dreeben, 2010). In addition, they propose additional components which they assert can also affect health and well-being, with each A variety of theoretical rationales for applying mindfulness-based interventions have been proposed.…”