title: Mindfulness improves psychological quality of life in community-based patients with severe mental health problems: A pilot randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of group mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in patients diagnosed with severe mental illness. The primary outcome was health-related psychological quality of life. Secondary measures were environmental, social and physical health related quality of life, frequency and intensity of psychotic symptoms and daily-life mindfulness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients from a public community rehabilitation center for people with severe mental illness were recruited, and randomly allocated to Integrated Rehabilitation Treatment (IRT) or IRT plus MBI. Measures included PANSS interview, WHOQOL-BREF, and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale. MBI comprised 26 one-hour weekly sessions. Intention-to-treat analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient did not complete IRT+MBI and two did not complete IRT. At baseline there were no statistical group differences in demographic characteristics or primary and secondary outcomes. At post-treatment interaction between treatment and time in health-related psychological quality of life was statistically significant, and simple effect analysis showed significant differences for between and within subject factor in favor of MBI. Interaction was also significant in PANSS negative symptoms, simple effects showed a statistical trend in within subject factor. Time factor was significant in environmental and physical quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest mindfulness added to IRT may enhance psychological quality of life in people with severe mental illness from a public community center. Results also suggest that mindfulness may impact frequency and intensity of negative symptoms.
authors: Institut Universitari d´Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), University of Balearic Islands, Ctra Valldemossa km 7,5, Balearic Islands, Spain. Electronic address: Emilio.lopez@uib.es.
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: López-Navarro
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, Son Espases Hospital, Balearic Health Service, Ctra Valldemossa, 79, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Del Canto
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, Son Espases Hospital, Balearic Health Service, Ctra Valldemossa, 79, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Belber
authors: UCR Serralta Community Rehabilitation Center, Balearic Health Service, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors: Antoni
authors: A
authors: Mayol
authors: UCR Serralta Community Rehabilitation Center, Balearic Health Service, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors: Ovidio
authors: O
authors: Fernández-Alonso
authors: EvoCog, UIB-IFISC, Associated Unit to CSIC, Spain.
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Lluis
authors: EvoCog, UIB-IFISC, Associated Unit to CSIC, Spain.
authors: Enric
authors: E
authors: Munar
authors: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Chadwick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Mindfulness; Negative symptoms; Quality of life; Schizophrenia; Severe mental illness