Mindfulness meditation to reduce symptoms after organ transplant: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Solid organ transplant patients require life-long immune suppression that can produce distressing side effects and complications.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance and improve quality of life after solid organ transplantation.


METHODS
Longitudinal with evaluations at baseline, postcourse and 3-month follow-up.


METHODS
Kidney, lung, or pancreas transplant recipients (N=20), aged 35 to 59 years, living in the community.


METHODS
An MBSR class (2.5 hours weekly, for 8 weeks), modeled after the program of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Home practice (goal: 45 minutes, 5 days weekly) was monitored.


METHODS
Self-report scales for depression (CES-D), anxiety (STAI-Y1), and sleep dysfunction (PSQI).


RESULTS
Nineteen participants completed the course. Findings suggest improvement from baseline symptom scores for depression (P=.006) and sleep (P=.011) at the completion of the MBSR program. At 3 months, improvement in sleep continued (P=.002), and a significant improvement in anxiety scores was seen (P=.043); scores for both symptoms demonstrated a linear trend and dose-response relationship with practice time. In contrast, depression scores showed a quadratic trend, and at 3 months were no longer different from baseline. A composite symptom measure was significantly improved at 3-month follow-up (P=.007). Global and health-related quality of life ratings were not improved. Effects of group support and instructor attention were not controlled, and sample size and follow-up time were limited. A randomized trial to overcome these shortcomings should be done, as symptom distress in transplant recipients appears responsive to MBSR.
Gross
Cynthia R
CR
College of Pharmacy and School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, USA.
Kreitzer
Mary Jo
MJ
Russas
Valerie
V
Treesak
Charoen
C
Frazier
Patricia A
PA
Hertz
Marshall I
MI
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D008910:Minnesota; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome