title: Mindfulness-based stress reduction for long-term physical conditions: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify whether mindfulness-based stress reduction is effective in improving physical health outcomes for long-term physical conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of the literature (retrieved from MEDLINE, PubMed and PsycINFO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen studies were included in the review. None of the studies assessed as having a low risk of bias demonstrated significant improvements in physical health status although there was some emerging evidence that mindfulness-based stress reduction may be useful in pain conditions. There was some preliminary evidence that it may also be effective in improving primary insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome. Small to moderate effect sizes were also found for asthma, pain, tinnitus, fibromyalgia and somatization disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there is some preliminary support for the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction in physical health conditions, further research is required before it could be considered an effective intervention for improving physical health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand Centre for Postgraduate Nursing, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand marie.crowe@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand Centre for Postgraduate Nursing, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Postgraduate Nursing, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burrell
authors.affiliation: Centre for Postgraduate Nursing, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Centre for Postgraduate Nursing, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gillon
authors.affiliation: Centre for Postgraduate Nursing, University of Otago-Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Review; chronic illness; long-term conditions; mindfulness; physical health; psychosocial intervention