An 8-week yoga-based mind-body intervention, Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM), reduced pain intensity and improved quality of life and pain self-efficacy in most of 17 women with chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, or migraines. The largest improvement was in pain self-efficacy, followed by average pain intensity and quality of life, with a smaller effect on most severe pain. Responses varied among participants, suggesting the intervention helps many but not all. The authors call for larger controlled trials and further exploration of yoga's ethical and philosophical aspects.
Stress-related illnesses are increasing among medical students and doctors in Germany and internationally. Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) courses are being offered at several German medical faculties, including Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the universities of Magdeburg, Witten-Herdecke, Essen, and Ulm. Evaluations of student courses at Charité and Magdeburg showed a reduction in perceived stress and increases in self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-reflection, and empathy among 117 Charité students, and improvements in mindfulness and self-compassion among 69 Magdeburg students. In qualitative focus groups, Charité students reported better self-regulation of stressful experiences, personal growth, and new insights into integrative medicine. Further implementation and networked evaluation of MBM courses across German-speaking universities is recommended.