Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health-related quality of life in aheterogeneous patient population

This study examined the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR ) on health-related quality of life and physical and psychological symptoma tology in a heterogeneous patient population. Patients (n=136) participated in an 8-week MBSR program and were required to practice 20 min of meditati on daily. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected by using the Short -Form Health Survey (SF-36), Medical Symptom Checklist (MSCL) and Symptom C hecklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Health-related quality of life was enhanced as demonstrated by improvement on all indices of the SF-36, including vita lity, bodily pain, role limitations caused by physical health, and social f unctioning (all P<.01). Alleviation of physical symptoms was revealed by a 28% reduction on the MSCL (P<.0001). Decreased psychological distress was i ndicated 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 depressi on subscale (all P<.0001). One-year follow-up revealed maintenance of initi al improvements on several outcome parameters. We conclude that a group min dfulness meditation training program can enhance functional status and well -being and reduce physical symptoms and psychological distress in a heterog eneous patient population and that the intervention may have long-term bene ficial effects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.