title: Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health-related quality of life in a heterogeneous patient population.
abstract: This study examined the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on health-related quality of life and physical and psychological symptomatology in a heterogeneous patient population. Patients (n=136) participated in an 8-week MBSR program and were required to practice 20 min of meditation daily. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected by using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Medical Symptom Checklist (MSCL) and Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Health-related quality of life was enhanced as demonstrated by improvement on all indices of the SF-36, including vitality, bodily pain, role limitations caused by physical health, and social functioning (all P<.01). Alleviation of physical symptoms was revealed by a 28% reduction on the MSCL (P<.0001). Decreased psychological distress was indicated on the SCL-90-R by a 38% reduction on the Global Severity Index, a 44% reduction on the anxiety subscale, and a 34% reduction on the depression subscale (all P<.0001). One-year follow-up revealed maintenance of initial improvements on several outcome parameters. We conclude that a group mindfulness meditation training program can enhance functional status and well-being and reduce physical symptoms and psychological distress in a heterogeneous patient population and that the intervention may have long-term beneficial effects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. diane.reibel@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Reibel
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Greeson
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Brainard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenzweig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*