A pilot randomised controlled trial investigating a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention in individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): the PATHWAYS study
R. Tulloh, V. Garratt, J. Tagney, J. Turner-Cobb, E. Marques, R. Greenwood, L. Howard, W. Gin-Sing, A. Barton, P. Ewings, P. Craggs, W. Hollingworth
Pilot and Feasibility Studies May 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-018-0270-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial (feasibility) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | People with pulmonary arterial hypertension |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8 sessions, 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | Beck Anxiety Index, Beck Depression Inventory, standard physical assessment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Attendance at group MBSR was poor, with only 34 of 52 recruited patients randomized due to travel difficulties. Twenty-two completed all outcome measures. Delivery costs ranged from £2,234 to £4,128 per patient. Attendees found MBSR helpful for managing symptoms, but the authors suggest better attendance or internet-based delivery might maximize benefit. |
Abstract
BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an uncommon condition with progressive heart failure and premature death. Treatment costs up to £120,000 per patient per year, and the psychological burden of PAH is substantial. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an intervention with the potential to reduce this burden, but to date, it has not been applied to people with pulmonary hypertension. We wished to determine whether a trial of MBSR for people with PAH would be feasible.MethodsA customised gentle MBSR programme of eight sessions was developed for people with physical disability due to PAH, and they were randomised to group-based MBSR or treatment as usual. The completeness of outcome measures including Beck Anxiety Index, Beck Depression Inventory and standard physical assessment at 3 months after randomisation were recorded. Health care utilisation was measured. Attendance at the sessions and the costs involved in delivering the intervention were assessed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the acceptability of the MBSR intervention and when appropriate the reasons for trial non-participation.ResultsFifty-two patients were recruited, but only 34 were randomised due to patients finding it difficult to travel to sessions. Twenty-two completed all questionnaires and attended all clinics, both routine and additional in order to collect outcomes measures. The MSBR sessions were delivered in Bristol, Cardiff and London, costing, on average, between £2234 (Cardiff) and £4128 (London) per patient to deliver. Attendance at each session averaged between two patients in Bristol and Cardiff and three in London. For those receiving treatment as usual, clinician blinding was achievable. Interviews revealed that people who attended MBSR found it interesting and helpful in managing their symptoms and minimising the psychological component of their disease.ConclusionsWe found that attendance at group MBSR was poor in people with chronic PAH within the context of a trial. Achieving better MBSR intervention attendance or use of an Internet-based programme might maximise the benefit of MBSR.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
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- The Effect of Anapanasati Meditation on Depression: A Randomized Control Trial Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine August 31, 2018
- Mindfulness meditation for pulmonary hypertension program development: Acceptability and feasibility of technology-assisted complementary health intervention for symptom self-management. Heart & Lung 2026
- Economic Evaluations of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: a Systematic Review. Mindfulness 2022
- Deep Relaxation Experience with Complementary Urban Zen Integrative Therapy: Qualitative Thematic Analysis Western Journal of Nursing Research November 27, 2020
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- The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cardiac patients' blood pressure, perceived stress, and anger: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Society of Hypertension : JASH October 2016
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness based cognitive therapy in vascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 1, 2014
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with chronic diseases. Australian journal of primary health 2010
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