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Effects of mindfulness meditation on occupational functioning and health care utilization in individuals with anxiety.

Elizabeth A Hoge, Brittany M. Guidos, Mihriye Mete, Eric Bui, Mark H Pollack, Naomi M Simon, Mary Ann Dutton

Journal of Psychosomatic Research April 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.01.011 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 57
Population Adults with generalized anxiety disorder (mean age 39 years; 56% women)
Interventions Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) attention control class
Duration 8-week intervention; 24-week post-treatment follow-up
Topics Anxiety Meditation
Keywords Absenteeism Clinicaltrials.gov identifier Health care utilization Mindfulness/meditation Work loss
Key findings MBSR was associated with a greater decrease in partial workdays missed than an attention control class among adults with GAD. During 24-week follow-up, greater home mindfulness meditation practice among MBSR participants was associated with less work loss and fewer mental health professional visits.

Abstract

To examine the effect of mindfulness meditation on occupational functioning in individuals with Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Fifty-seven individuals with GAD (mean (SD) age=39 (13); 56% women) participated in an 8-week clinical trial in which they were randomized to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) or an attention control class. In this secondary analysis, absenteeism, entire workdays missed, partial workdays missed, and healthcare utilization patterns were assessed before and after treatment. Compared to the attention control class, participation in MBSR was associated with a significantly greater decrease in partial work days missed for adults with GAD (t=2.734, df=51, p=0.009). Interestingly, a dose effect was observed during the 24-week post-treatment follow-up period: among MBSR participants, greater home mindfulness meditation practice was associated with less work loss and with fewer mental health professional visits. Mindfulness meditation training may improve occupational functioning and decrease healthcare utilization in adults with GAD.

Comparable studies

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Study Year Design Participants
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Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12

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