Document Type
Article
Publication Date
March 2003
Abstract
Background: Medical students confront significant academic, psychosocial, and existential stressors throughout their training. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an educational intervention designed to improve coping skills and reduce emotional distress.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the MBSR intervention in a prospective, nonrandomized, cohort-controlled study.
Methods: Second-year students (n = 140) elected to participate in a 10-week MBSR seminar. Controls (n = 162) participated in a didactic seminar on complementary medicine. Profile of Mood States (POMS) was administered preintervention and postintervention.
Results: Baseline total mood disturbance (TMD) was greater in the MBSR group compared with controls (38.7 ± 33.3 vs. 28.0 ± 31.2; p < .01). Despite this initial difference, the MBSR group scored significantly lower in TMD at the completion of the intervention period (31.8 ± 33.8 vs. 38.6 ± 32.8; p < .05). Significant effects were also observed on Tension–Anxiety, Confusion–Bewilderment, Fatigue–Inertia, and Vigor–Activity subscales.
Conclusion: MBSR may be an effective stress management intervention for medical students.
Recommended Citation
Rosenzweig, Steven MD; Reibel, Diane K.; Greeson, Jeffrey M.; Brainard, George C.; and Hojat, Mohammadreza, "Mindfulness-based stress reduction lowers psychological distress in medical students" (2003). Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers. Paper 1.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jmbcimfp/1
Comments
This article has been peer-reviewed. It was published in Teaching and Learning in Medicine 15(2):88-92, Spring 2003. The published version is available at http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S15328015TLM1502_03. Copyright is retained by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.