CLINICAL RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 10:15-11:00 AM
Shelley B, Smith B, Leahigh L, Vanleit B, Young J.
Positive health effects of a low-cost mindfulness-based
stress reduction program in New Mexico.
University of New Mexico bshelley@salud.unm.edu
PURPOSE: To evaluate the health effects of an
8-week course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in a southwestern
population. As in the rest of the US, many people in the southwest seek
conventional and integrative medical care for chronic problems such
as pain, mood disturbances, and obesity. Mindfulness-based initiatives
have been shown to positively impact these conditions in other centers,
but this research has not yet been performed in our region, where the
population has a unique ethnic and socio-economic status. The MBSR program
at our institution is unique in that it is offered to all in the general
community (not just by referral), is priced below all known similar
MBSR programs in the US, and offers scholarships to those who cannot
pay even the reduced fee.
METHODS: For this pilot study, participants
(n = 27) were recruited from the general MBSR course at a southwestern
academic health center in the spring of 2005. Participants completed
demographic and validated psychometric measures immediately before and
after the 8-week course. The MBSR course was modified slightly to include
slightly more focus on eating behavior. There was no control group for
comparison. The IRB at our institution approved the study.
RESULTS: 25 participants finished the study
for a completion rate of 92.6%. Participants experienced large increases
in energy (p = <.001; Cohen's Effect Size d = 1.21; t = -6.527), and
a substantial increase in mindful awareness (p = <.001; d = .66; t =
-4.399). Participants experienced large decreases in depression (p =
<.001; d = 1.20; t = 4.558) and stress (p = <.001; d = 1.07; t = 4.115),
and a substantial decrease in pain (p = <.001; d = .71; t = 4.025).
Medium effect sizes were seen in many other measures, and overweight/obese
participants showed significant decreases in binge-like eating. Scholarship
recipients were just as likely to complete the course and report positive
health effects.
CONCLUSIONS: Participants in an 8-week MBSR
course at a southwestern medical center reported significant improvements
in validated health measures of depression, pain, and binge-like eating.
This MBSR course provides a model of a cost-effective approach for many
common conditions in a low-income setting. Future research will include
active control groups, long-term follow-up, and mindfulness-based programs
tailored to specific chronic conditions such as obesity and fibromyalgia.
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