title: Effects of low-dose mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR-ld) on working adults.
abstract: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has produced behavioral, psychological, and physiological benefits, but these programs typically require a substantial time commitment from the participants. This study assessed the effects of a shortened (low-dose [ld]) work-site MBSR intervention (MBSR-ld) on indicators of stress in healthy working adults to determine if results similar to those obtained in traditional MBSR could be demonstrated. Participants were randomized into MBSR-ld and wait-list control groups. Self-reported perceived stress, sleep quality, and mindfulness were measured at the beginning and end of the 6-week intervention. Salivary cortisol was assessed weekly. Significant reductions in perceived stress (p = .0025) and increases in mindfulness (p = .0149) were obtained for only the MBSR-ld group (n = 22). Scores on the global measure of sleep improved for the MBSR-ld group (p = .0018) as well as for the control group (p = .0072; n = 20). Implications and future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. klatt.8@osu.edu
authors.forename: Maryanna D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Klatt
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buckworth
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Malarkey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone