Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on the Mental Health and Care Burden in Family Caregivers of Individuals with Psychosis.

A randomized controlled trial tested the effect of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on 50 family caregivers of people with psychosis. Compared to a control group, caregivers who completed MBSR showed significant decreases in state anxiety, trait anxiety, hopelessness, and caregiver burden, along with increased self-compassion. These improvements were sustained at one-month and three-month follow-ups. The results suggest MBSR may be an effective intervention for reducing care burden and improving mental health in this population.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental trial with the aim of determining the effect of MBSR program on the mental health and care burden in family caregivers of individuals with psychosis. This study was designed prospective, two-armed (1:1), randomized clinical trial with assessments on primary and secondary outcomes at baseline, post-intervention, at the 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome of the study was the change in care burden. Secondary outcomes included changes in anxiety, hopelessness, and self-compassion levels. The study sample consisted of 50 family caregivers (intervention group = 25, control group = 25). In the intervention group, there was a statistically significantly decrease in state anxiety, trait anxiety, hopelessness and caregiver burden, as well as a significant increase in self-compassion compared to the control group at post-intervention, at the 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up. These results show promise that MBSR may be an effective intervention for family caregivers of individuals with psychosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: This study was registered in the Clinical Trials under the code NCT05245305 (2022-02-17).