Chronic Illness and Cancer

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer—a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Paul, A. & Dobos, G., Current Oncology. 19:5, October 2012,  p.343–352.

Conclusion: There is some evidence for the effectiveness of MBSR in improving psychological health in breast cancer patients, but more randomized controled trials are needed to underpin those results.

Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on attention, rumination and resting blood pressure in women with cancer: A waitlist-controlled study

Linda E. Carlson, Tavis S. Campbell, Laura E. Labelle, Simon L. Bacon and Peter Faris,  Journal of Behavioral Medicine, June 2012, Volume 35, Issue 3, pp 262-271,

MBSR group participants demonstrated higher levels of mindful attentiveness and decreased ruminative thinking following the intervention but no difference in BP, when compared to controls

“Higher BP” participants in the MBSR group (n = 19) had lower SBP at week 8 relative to the control group

The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on mental health of adults with a chronic medical disease: A meta-analysis

Bohlmeijer, E. ; Prenger, R. ; Taal, E ; Cuijpers, P. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 68(6), 539-544,  2010

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to examine the effects of MBSR on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. Eight published, randomized controlled outcome studies were included. It can be concluded that MBSR has small effects on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in people with chronic somatic diseases.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis

Paul Grossmana,*, Ludger Niemannb, Stefan Schmidtc, Harald Walachc, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57 (2004) 35–43

Conclusion: Although derived from a relatively small number of studies, these results suggest that MBSR may help a broad range of individuals to cope with their clinical and nonclinical problems. Our findings suggest the usefulness of MBSR as an intervention for a broad range of chronic disorders and problems. In fact, the consistent and relatively strong level of effect sizes across very different types of sample indicates that mindfulness training might enhance general features of coping with distress and disability in everyday life, as well as under more extraordinary conditions of serious disorder or stress.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis

Dianne Ledesma, Hiroaki Kumano, Psycho-Oncology, Volume 18, Issue 6, pages 571–579, June 2009

Conclusion: The results suggest that MBSR may improve cancer patients’ psychosocial adjustment to their disease.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is Associated with Improved GlycemicControl in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study

Steven Rosenzweig, MD; Diane K. Reibel, PhD; Jeffrey M. Greeson, PhD; Joel S. Edman, DSc; Samar A. Jasser, MD; Kathy D. McMearty, BA; Barry J. & Goldstein, MD, PhD, Alternative Therapies, 13:5, September-October 2007, p. 36-38.

Results • Eleven of 14 patients completed the intervention. At 1 month follow-up, HA1c was reduced by 0.48% (P=.03), and mean arterial pressure was reduced by 6 mmHg (P=.009). Body weight did not change. A decrease in measures of depression, anxiety, and general psychological distress was observed.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Sernicke, K.A., Campbell, T.S., Bluestein, P.K., Fung, T.S., Johnson, J.A., Bacon, S.L. & Carlson, L.E., International Journal of Behavioral Medicine,  May 2012, p. 1-2.

Conclusions: The results of this trial provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of mindfulnesss intervention for the reduction of IBS symptom severity and symptoms of stress and the maintenance of these improvements at 6 months post-intervention.  Attention and self-monitoring and/or anticipation of MBSR participation may account for small improvements ovserved in TAU patients.

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