Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) and distress in a community‐based sample
Susan Evans, Stephen Ferrando, Corey Carr, Dean Haglin
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy November 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.727 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Community-based sample of residents living in a large urban area |
| Duration | 8-week course |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | MBSR was associated with significant reductions in distress and increases in mindful awareness after 8 weeks. |
Abstract
AbstractBackground: Numerous studies have found Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) to be useful for a wide range of problems including anxiety, pain and coping with a medical illness. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8‐week MBSR programme in relieving distress in a community based sample.Methods: Subjects (n = 14) were participants in the MBSR programme at a major academic medical center and completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) prior to starting the class and at the end of the 8‐week course. Means and standard deviations were computed for the pre‐and post‐POMS total and subscale measures and the MAAS. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was conducted. Results: There were significant reductions on multiple dimensions of distress on the POMS as well as a significant increase in mindful awareness as measured by the MAAS.Conclusion: These results suggest that MBSR appears to be associated with a reduction of distress and increased awareness of everyday life experiences in a sample of residents living in a large urban community. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message:• Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) appears to be an acceptable modality for mild to moderate psychological distress in a community sample.• Mindfulness training is associated with reduction in psychological distress.• Mindful Attention Awareness scale scores improved following an 8‐week MBSR course.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Factor Structure and Reliability of the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents and the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Anxiety in Adolescents Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences September 8, 2018
- Mindfulness Interventions for College Students with ADHD: A Multiple Single Case Research Design Journal of College Student Psychotherapy March 22, 2018
- Clinical trial of feasibility for mindfulness intervention for patients with newly diagnosed high grade glioma. Journal of neuro-oncology November 5, 2025
- The Subjective Experience of Greek Women Attending a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program The European Journal of Counselling Psychology October 21, 2025
and 3 more in the library
Cites 28
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine 2002
and 23 more in the library