Mindfulness-based stress reduction lowers psychological distress in medical students.
BACKGROUND
Medical students confront significant academic, psychosocial, and existential stressors throughout their training. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an educational intervention designed to improve coping skills and reduce emotional distress.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the MBSR intervention in a prospective, nonrandomized, cohort-controlled study.


METHODS
Second-year students (n = 140) elected to participate in a 10-week MBSR seminar. Controls (n = 162) participated in a didactic seminar on complementary medicine. Profile of Mood States (POMS) was administered preintervention and postintervention.


RESULTS
Baseline total mood disturbance (TMD) was greater in the MBSR group compared with controls (38.7 +/- 33.3 vs. 28.0 +/- 31.2; p < .01). Despite this initial difference, the MBSR group scored significantly lower in TMD at the completion of the intervention period (31.8 +/- 33.8 vs. 38.6 +/- 32.8; p < .05). Significant effects were also observed on Tension-Anxiety, Confusion-Bewilderment, Fatigue-Inertia, and Vigor-Activity subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
MBSR may be an effective stress management intervention for medical students.
Rosenzweig
Steven
S
Center for Integrative Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. steven.rosenzweig@mail.tju.edu
Reibel
Diane K
DK
Greeson
Jeffrey M
JM
Brainard
George C
GC
Hojat
Mohammadreza
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome