OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a meditation training program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), on depressive symptoms, psychological status, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a randomized, waitlist-controlled pilot study. METHODS: Participants were randomized to either an MBSR group, where they attended an 8-week course and 4-month maintenance program, or to a waitlist control group, where they attended all assessment visits and received MBSR free of charge after study end. Participants received usual care from their rheumatologists throughout the trial. Self-report questionnaires were used to evaluate depressive symptoms, psychological distress, well-being, and mindfulness. Evaluation of RA disease activity (by Disease Activity Score in 28 joints) included examination by a physician masked to treatment status. Adjusted means and mean changes in outcomes were estimated in mixed model repeated measures analyses. RESULTS:Sixty-three participants were randomized: 31 toMBSR and 32 to control. At 2 months, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in any outcomes. At 6 months, there was significant improvement in psychological distress and well-being (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively), and marginally significant improvement in depressive symptoms and mindfulness (P = 0.08 and P = 0.09, respectively). There was a 35% reduction in psychological distress among those treated. The intervention had no impact on RA disease activity. CONCLUSION: An 8-week MBSR class was not associated with change in depressive symptoms or other outcomes at 2-month followup. Significant improvements in psychological distress and well-being were observed following MBSR plus a 4-month program of continued reinforcement. Mindfulness meditation may complement medical disease management by improving psychological distress and strengthening well-being in patients with RA.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a meditation training program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), on depressive symptoms, psychological status, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a randomized, waitlist-controlled pilot study. METHODS:Participants were randomized to either an MBSR group, where they attended an 8-week course and 4-month maintenance program, or to a waitlist control group, where they attended all assessment visits and received MBSR free of charge after study end. Participants received usual care from their rheumatologists throughout the trial. Self-report questionnaires were used to evaluate depressive symptoms, psychological distress, well-being, and mindfulness. Evaluation of RA disease activity (by Disease Activity Score in 28 joints) included examination by a physician masked to treatment status. Adjusted means and mean changes in outcomes were estimated in mixed model repeated measures analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-three participants were randomized: 31 to MBSR and 32 to control. At 2 months, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in any outcomes. At 6 months, there was significant improvement in psychological distress and well-being (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively), and marginally significant improvement in depressive symptoms and mindfulness (P = 0.08 and P = 0.09, respectively). There was a 35% reduction in psychological distress among those treated. The intervention had no impact on RA disease activity. CONCLUSION: An 8-week MBSR class was not associated with change in depressive symptoms or other outcomes at 2-month followup. Significant improvements in psychological distress and well-being were observed following MBSR plus a 4-month program of continued reinforcement. Mindfulness meditation may complement medical disease management by improving psychological distress and strengthening well-being in patients with RA.
Authors: Donal G MacCoon; Zac E Imel; Melissa A Rosenkranz; Jenna G Sheftel; Helen Y Weng; Jude C Sullivan; Katherine A Bonus; Catherine M Stoney; Tim V Salomons; Richard J Davidson; Antoine Lutz Journal: Behav Res Ther Date: 2011-11-11
Authors: Fathima L Marikar Bawa; Stewart W Mercer; Rachel J Atherton; Fiona Clague; Andrew Keen; Neil W Scott; Christine M Bond Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2015-06 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Melissa A Rosenkranz; Richard J Davidson; Donal G Maccoon; John F Sheridan; Ned H Kalin; Antoine Lutz Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2012-10-22 Impact factor: 7.217