Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in Addition to Usual Care Is Associated with Improvements in Pain, Fatigue, and Cognitive Failures Among Veterans with Gulf War Illness.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in improving symptoms of Gulf War illness, including pain, fatigue, cognitive failures, and mental health conditions like PTSD and depression.
Results Summary
Veterans receiving MBSR plus treatment as usual showed significant reductions in pain, fatigue, cognitive failures, and depressive symptoms at 6-month follow-up. PTSD symptoms improved post-intervention but not at 6 months.
Population
Gulf War I veterans diagnosed with Gulf War illness (N = 55).
Effective Dosage
8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions plus a single 7-hour weekend session.
Duration
8 weeks (plus a 6-month follow-up).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual | decrease | pain | veterans with Gulf War illness | f = 0.33; P = .049 | greater reductions | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual | decrease | fatigue | veterans with Gulf War illness | f = 0.32; P = .027 | greater reductions | #2 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual | decrease | cognitive failures | veterans with Gulf War illness | f = 0.40; P < .001 | greater reductions | #3 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction | decrease | depressive symptoms | veterans with Gulf War illness | f = 0.22; P = .050 | greater decline | #4 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction | decrease | depressive symptoms | veterans with Gulf War illness | f = 0.27; P = .031 | greater decline | #5 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual | decrease | symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder | veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder at baseline | f = 0.44; P = .005 | significantly greater reductions | #6 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual | no change | symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder | veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder at baseline | f = 0.31; P = .082 | not | #7 |
BACKGROUND: Many Gulf War I veterans report ongoing negative health consequences. The constellation of pain, fatigue, and concentration/memory disturbances is referred to as "Gulf War illness." Prior research suggests that mindfulness-based stress reduction may be beneficial for these symptoms, but mindfulness-based stress reduction has not been studied for veterans with Gulf War illness. The objective of this trial was to conduct a pilot study of mindfulness-based stress reduction for veterans with Gulf War illness. METHODS: Veterans (N = 55) with Gulf War illness were randomly assigned to treatment as usual plus mindfulness-based stress reduction or treatment as usual only. Mindfulness-based stress reduction was delivered in 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions plus a single 7-hour weekend session. Pain, fatigue, and cognitive failures were the primary outcomes, assessed at baseline, after mindfulness-based stress reduction, and 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes included symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. RESULTS: In intention-to-treat analyses, at 6-month follow-up, veterans randomized to mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual reported greater reductions in pain (f = 0.33; P = .049), fatigue (f = 0.32; P = .027), and cognitive failures (f = 0.40; P < .001). Depressive symptoms showed a greater decline after mindfulness-based stress reduction (f = 0.22; P = .050) and at 6 months (f = 0.27; P = .031) relative to treatment as usual only. Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder at baseline randomized to mindfulness-based stress reduction plus treatment as usual experienced significantly greater reductions in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder after mindfulness-based stress reduction (f = 0.44; P = .005) but not at 6 months follow-up (f = 0.31; P = .082). CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based stress reduction in addition to treatment as usual is associated with significant improvements in self-reported symptoms of Gulf War illness, including pain, fatigue, cognitive failures, and depression.