A mixed-methods pilot study of the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief meditation and mindfulness intervention for people with diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of a six-week mindfulness intervention in individuals with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease, focusing on reducing worry and thought suppression.
Results Summary
The intervention was highly acceptable, with 90% completing at least five sessions, and led to significant reductions in worry and thought suppression, improved sleep, greater relaxation, and more accepting approaches to illness.
Population
Individuals with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease (n = 40).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (six-week meditation and mindfulness intervention).
Duration
Six weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a six-week meditation and mindfulness intervention | increase | acceptability | people with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease | 90% completing ≥5 sessions | was highly acceptable | #1 |
Meditation and mindfulness skills | increase | sleep | people with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease | - | led to improved | #2 |
Meditation and mindfulness skills | increase | relaxation | people with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease | - | led to greater | #3 |
Meditation and mindfulness skills | increase | illness and illness experience | people with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease | - | led to more-accepting approaches to | #4 |
the six-week meditation course | decrease | worry | people with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease | - | significantly reduced | #5 |
the six-week meditation course | decrease | thought suppression | people with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease | - | significantly reduced | #6 |
Mindfulness-based interventions can successfully target negative perseverative cognitions such as worry and thought suppression, but their acceptability and effectiveness in people with long-term conditions is uncertain. We therefore pilot tested a six-week meditation and mindfulness intervention in people (n = 40) with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. We used a sequential mixed-methods approach that measured change in worry and thought suppression and qualitatively explored acceptability, feasibility, and user experience with a focus group (n = 11) and in-depth interviews (n = 16). The intervention was highly acceptable, with 90% completing ≥5 sessions. Meditation and mindfulness skills led to improved sleep, greater relaxation, and more-accepting approaches to illness and illness experience. At the end of the six-week meditation course, worry, and thought suppression were significantly reduced. Positive impacts of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological health may relate to acquisition and development of meta-cognitive skills but this needs experimental confirmation.