Document Type
Article
Publication Date
July 2001
Abstract
This study examined the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on health-related quality of life and physical and psychological symptomatology in a heterogeneous patient population. Patients (n=136) participated in an 8-week MBSR program and were required to practice 20 min of meditation daily. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected by using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Medical Symptom Checklist (MSCL) and Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Health-related quality of life was enhanced as demonstrated by improvement on all indices of the SF-36, including vitality, bodily pain, role limitations caused by physical health, and social functioning (all P<.01). Alleviation of physical symptoms was revealed by a 28% reduction on the MSCL (P<.0001). Decreased psychological distress was indicated on the SCL-90-R by a 38% reduction on the Global Severity Index, a 44% reduction on the anxiety subscale, and a 34% reduction on the depression subscale (all P<.0001). One-year follow-up revealed maintenance of initial improvements on several outcome parameters. We conclude that a group mindfulness meditation training program can enhance functional status and well-being and reduce physical symptoms and psychological distress in a heterogeneous patient population and that the intervention may have long-term beneficial effects.
Recommended Citation
Reibel, Diane K.; Greeson, Jeffrey M.; Brainard, George C.; and Rosenzweig, Steven MD, "Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health-related quality of life in a heterogeneous patient population" (2001). Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers. Paper 2.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jmbcimfp/2
Comments
This article has been peer-reviewed. It was published in General Hospital Psychiatry 23(4):183-92, July-August 2001. It is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0163-8343(01)00149-9 . Copyright is retained by Elsevier Science, Inc.