Understanding changes in dyspnoea perception in obstructive lung disease after mindfulness training.
Alice Malpass, Gene S. Feder, James W Dodd
BMJ open respiratory research 2018 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2018-000309 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease recruited from primary and secondary care |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week course; interviews 2 months after completion |
| Measures | multidimensional dyspnoea profile (MDP) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Perception of asthma/breathlessness Pulmonary rehabilitation Respiratory measurement |
| Key findings | The authors propose that MBCT training develops three types of mindful attention—broad, informative, and re-directive—that affect perceptions of the sensory dimension of dyspnoea, and that MBCT appears to target affective and sensory perceptions articulated in the multidimensional dyspnoea profile model. They conclude that more research is needed into how mindfulness-based interventions may mediate the relationship between affective experience and sensory perception of dyspnoea symptoms. |
Abstract
Dyspnoea has been defined as a 'subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity'. However, the majority of available dyspnoea measures treat it as a single entity and rely on quantitative methodology. We propose that qualitative research can enhance our understanding of dyspnoea, in particular, how perception varies so much among patients with similar disease states. In this paper, we focus on how a specific type of inner attention-mindfulness-may alter perceptions of dyspnoea. The aim is to characterise mindfulness attention, which impacts on perceptions of dyspnoea and relate these to the multidimensional model of dyspnoea. We explore how an individual can change their perception and therefore relationship to similar disease states. 22 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were recruited from primary and secondary care to an 8-week course in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). 12 patients took part in an in-depth qualitative interview 2 months after completing the MBCT course. Data were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using a framework approach, drawing on components of the multidimensional model of dyspnoea (multidimensional dyspnoea profile, MDP). We found that MBCT training involves developing three types of mindful attention (broad attention, informative attention and re-directive attention), which impact on perceptions of the sensory dimension of dyspnoea. MBCT appears to target affective and sensory perceptions articulated in the MDP model. More research is needed into how mindfulness-based interventions may mediate the relationship between affective experience and the sensory perception of dyspnoea symptoms.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Interoception, contemplative practice, and health Frontiers in Psychology June 9, 2015
- Neural mechanisms of attentional control in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience 2013
and 12 more in the library