Mindfulness meditation alleviates fibromyalgia symptoms in women: results of a randomized clinical trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on psychological and physiological functioning in female fibromyalgia patients.
Results Summary
MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress, sleep disturbance, and symptom severity, with benefits maintained at follow-up, but did not significantly improve pain, physical functioning, or cortisol levels.
Population
Female fibromyalgia patients
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Post-program and 2-month follow-up (exact intervention duration not specified)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | perceived stress | female fibromyalgia patients | - | significantly reduced | #1 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | sleep disturbance | female fibromyalgia patients | - | significantly reduced | #2 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | symptom severity | female fibromyalgia patients | - | significantly reduced | #3 |
Greater home practice | decrease | symptom severity | female fibromyalgia patients | - | was associated with reduced | #4 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | pain | female fibromyalgia patients | - | did not significantly alter | #5 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | physical functioning | female fibromyalgia patients | - | did not significantly alter | #6 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | cortisol profiles | female fibromyalgia patients | - | did not significantly alter | #7 |
BACKGROUND: Several recent reviews have evaluated evidence on the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) among fibromyalgia sufferers, and concluded that more research should test effects on both psychological and physiological functioning. PURPOSE: We conducted a randomized prospective trial of MBSR among female fibromyalgia patients. METHODS: Effects on perceived stress, pain, sleep quality, fatigue, symptom severity, and salivary cortisol were tested in treatment (n=51) versus wait-list control participants (n=40) using data at baseline, post-program, and 2-month follow-up. RESULTS: Analyses revealed that MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress, sleep disturbance, and symptom severity, with gains maintained at follow-up. Greater home practice at follow-up was associated with reduced symptom severity. MBSR did not significantly alter pain, physical functioning, or cortisol profiles. CONCLUSION: MBSR ameliorated some of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia and reduced subjective illness burden. Further exploration of MBSR effects on physiological stress responses is warranted. These results support use of MBSR as a complementary treatment for women with fibromyalgia ( ISRCTN: 34628811).