Telephone-adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction (tMBSR) for patients awaiting kidney transplantation: Trial design, rationale and feasibility.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program delivered via workshops and teleconferences for kidney transplant candidates.
Results Summary
The study found high attendance and treatment satisfaction in both groups, with more tMBSR participants expecting significant health benefits. Efficacy outcomes for symptoms and quality of life will be analyzed post-intervention and post-transplantation.
Population
Kidney transplant candidates (N = 63).
Effective Dosage
Standard 8-week MBSR program reconfigured into two in-person workshops and six weekly teleconferences.
Duration
8 weeks (plus follow-up at 6 and 12 months post-transplantation).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | stress-related symptoms | - | - | has demonstrated benefits | #1 |
Journeys to Wellness (mindfulness training delivered in a novel workshop and teleconference format) | decrease | symptoms | people waiting for a kidney transplant | - | aim is to reduce | #2 |
Journeys to Wellness (mindfulness training delivered in a novel workshop and teleconference format) | increase | quality of life | people waiting for a kidney transplant | - | aim is to improve | #3 |
tMBSR (reconfigured MBSR program delivered as two in-person workshops separated by six weekly teleconferences) | increase | attendance | Kidney transplant candidates | 6.6 ± 1.8 sessions | attendance was high | #4 |
tSupport (time and attention comparison condition using the workshop-telephone format) | increase | attendance | Kidney transplant candidates | 7.0 ± 1.4 sessions | attendance was high | #5 |
tMBSR | increase | perceived usefulness for managing health | Kidney transplant candidates | 83% | more participants expected their intervention to be quite a bit or extremely useful | #6 |
tSupport | increase | perceived usefulness for managing health | Kidney transplant candidates | 43% | participants expected their intervention to be quite a bit or extremely useful | #7 |
tMBSR | increase | health conditions | people with a wide spectrum of health conditions | - | is an accessible intervention that may be useful | #8 |
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has demonstrated benefits for stress-related symptoms; however, for patients with burdensome treatment regimens, multiple co-morbidities and mobility impairment, time and travel requirements pose barriers to MBSR training. PURPOSE: To describe the design, rationale and feasibility results of Journeys to Wellness, a clinical trial of mindfulness training delivered in a novel workshop and teleconference format. The trial aim is to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in people waiting for a kidney transplant. METHODS: The standard 8-week MBSR program was reconfigured for delivery as two in-person workshops separated in time by six weekly teleconferences (tMBSR). A time and attention comparison condition (tSupport) was created using the workshop-telephone format. FEASIBILITY RESULTS: Kidney transplant candidates (N = 63) were randomly assigned to tMBSR or tSupport: 87% (n = 55) attended ≥ 1 class, and for these, attendance was high (6.6 ± 1.8 tMBSR and 7.0 ± 1.4 tSupport sessions). Fidelity monitoring found that all treatment elements were delivered as planned and few technical problems occurred. Patients in both groups reported high treatment satisfaction, but more tMBSR (83%) than tSupport (43%) participants expected their intervention to be quite a bit or extremely useful for managing their health. Symptoms and quality of life outcomes collected before (baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months) and after kidney transplantation (2, 6 and 12 months) will be analyzed for efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: tMBSR is an accessible intervention that may be useful to people with a wide spectrum of health conditions. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01254214.