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A pilot evaluation of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program for people with pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease.

Journal of community genetics
August 1, 2023
Sarah Velissaris et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine if an 8-week MBSR program was feasible and acceptable for pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease patients and whether it improved mindfulness skills and psychological adjustment.

Results Summary

The program showed feasibility and acceptability, with improved mindfulness skills (observing and non-judgment) and qualitative benefits like reduced ruminations and isolation. Quantitative psychological adjustment remained stable post-treatment.

Population

Pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease patients

Effective Dosage

8-week program (weekly sessions, home practice)

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
no change
feasibility and acceptability
people with pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease (HD)
-
was feasible and acceptable
#1
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
increase
mindfulness understanding and skills
people with pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease (HD)
-
resulted in increased
#2
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
increase
psychological adjustment
people with pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease (HD)
-
led to improved
#3
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
increase
Two core mindfulness skills (observing and non-judgment)
participants
-
showed significant improvement
#4
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
increase
confidence and capacity to use mindfulness techniques
participants
-
indicated increased
#5
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
no change
psychological adjustment
participants
-
did not change
#6
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
ruminations about HD
participants
-
included fewer
#7
8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
isolation and stigma
participants
-
reduced
#8
Abstract

People with Huntington's disease (HD) face difficult emotional and practical challenges throughout their illness, including in the pre-symptomatic stage. There are, however, extremely limited psychosocial interventions adapted to or researched for HD. We adapted and piloted an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in people with pre-symptomatic HD to determine if the program (i) was feasible and acceptable to participants, (ii) resulted in increased mindfulness understanding and skills, and (iii) led to improved psychological adjustment. Quantitative measures of mindfulness, emotion regulation, mood, and quality of life were administered pre and post the MBSR program and at 3-month follow-up. Measures of mindfulness practice and session clarity were administered weekly. Qualitative participant feedback was collected with a post-program interview conducted by independent clinicians. Seven participants completed the 8-week course. The program's feasibility and acceptability was supported by excellent retention and participation rates and acceptable rates of home practice completion. In addition, qualitative feedback indicated participant satisfaction with the program structure and content. Two core mindfulness skills (observing and non-judgment) showed significant improvement from pre- to post-assessment. Participant qualitative feedback indicated increased confidence and capacity to use mindfulness techniques, particularly in emotionally challenging situations. Participant questionnaire data showed good psychological adjustment at baseline, which did not change after treatment. Psychological benefits of the program identified in qualitative data included fewer ruminations about HD, reduced isolation and stigma, and being seen by others as calmer. These findings justify expansion of the program to determine its efficacy in a larger, controlled study.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year0.5
Relative Citation Ratio0.49
NIH Percentile26.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.15
Normalized Score0.63
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