Ka. Williams et al., Evaluation of a wellness-based mindfulness stress reduction intervention: A controlled trial, AM J H PRO, 15(6), 2001, pp. 422-432
Purpose. To determine if participation in a Wellness-Based Mindfulness Stre
ss Reduction intervention decreases the effect of daily hassles, psychologi
cal distress, and medical symptoms.
Design. A randomized controlled trial of a stress reduction intervention wi
th a 3-month follow-up.
Setting. A university setting in West Virginia.
Subjects. A total of 103 adults, with 59 in the intervention group and 44 i
n the control group. Eight-five percent of subjects completed the intervent
ion. Fifty-nine percent and 61% of the intervention and control subjects co
mpleted the study, respectively
Intervention. The intervention consisted of an 8-week group stress reductio
n program in which subjects learned, practiced, and applied "mindfulness me
ditation" to daily life situations. The control group received educational
materials and were encouraged to use community resources for stress managem
ent.
Measures. The Daily Stress Inventory assessed the effect of daily hassles,
the Revised Hopkins Symptom Checklist measured psychological distress, the
Medical Symptom Checklist measured number of medical symptoms, and a Follow
-up Questionnaire measured gram adherence.
Results, Intervention subjects reported significant decreases from baseline
in effect of daily hassles (24%), psychological distress, (44%), and medic
al symptoms (46%) that were maintained at the 3-month follow-up compared to
control subjects (repeated measures analysis of variance [ANOVA]; p <.05).
Conclusions. Self-selected community residents can improve their mental and
physical health by participating in a stress reduction intervention offere
d by a university wellness program.