title: The evaluation of mindfulness-based stress reduction for veterans with mental health conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for veterans with mental health conditions and to evaluate its efficacy on psychological well-being and stress reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-group, pretest-posttest design.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 veterans within a mental health clinic of a VA (Veterans Administration) medical center were enrolled in an 8-week standard MBSR program. Perceived stress, sleep, mindfulness, and depression were measured via self-reports at baseline and study end. Feasibility was measured by compliance and satisfaction with the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (p =.002) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (p = .005) were significantly reduced (p = .002). The global measure for sleep from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index improved significantly (p = .035). Satisfaction and compliance were high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MBSR is a feasible intervention that has potential efficacy for veterans with mental health conditions. Future controlled trials are needed in this area.
authors.affiliation: James J. Peters VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kluepfel
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yehuda
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dimoulas
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Daly
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: mental health; mindfulness; veterans