Mindfulness-based stress reduction as a novel treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a standardized meditation program that may be an effective therapy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a condition exacerbated by stress. The aims of this study were to explore whether MBSR improved IC/BPS symptoms and the feasibility/acceptability of MSBR among women with IC/BPS.


METHODS
This randomized controlled trial included women with IC/BPS undergoing first- or second-line therapies. Women were randomized to continuation of usual care (UC) or an 8-week MBSR class + usual care (MBSR). Participants completed baseline and 8-week post-treatment questionnaires, including the O'Leary-Sant Symptom Problem Index (OSPI), the visual analog pain scale (VAS), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). The Global Response Assessment (GRA) was completed post-treatment. Analyses were performed using Student's t test, Chi-squared, and MANOVA where appropriate.


RESULTS
Eleven women were randomized to UC and 9 to MBSR, without differences in group characteristics. More MBSR participants' symptoms were improved on the GRA (7 out of 8 [87.5 %] vs 4 out of 11 [36.4 %], p = 0.03). The MBSR group showed greater improvement in the OSPI total (p = 0.0498) and problem scores (p = 0.036); the OSPI symptom score change did not differ. PSEQ scores improved in MBSR compared with UC (p = 0.035). VAS, SF-12, and FSFI change did not differ between groups. Eighty-six percent of MBSR participants felt more empowered to control symptoms, and all participants planned to continue MBSR.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial provides initial evidence that MBSR is a promising adjunctive therapy for IC/BPS. Its benefit may arise from patients' empowerment and ability to cope with symptoms.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
Gregory
G
Kanter
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA. ykomesu@salud.unm.edu.
Yuko M
YM
Komesu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
Fares
F
Qaedan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
Peter C
PC
Jeppson
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
Gena C
GC
Dunivan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
Sara B
SB
Cichowski
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
Rebecca G
RG
Rogers
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Chronic pain; Complementary therapies; Emotional stress; Interstitial cystitis; Mindfulness