Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on perceived stress and psychological health in patients with tension headache.
Abdollah Omidi, Fatemeh Zargar
Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences November 2015 DOI: 10.4103/1735-1995.172816 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Patients with tension-type headache diagnosed according to the International Headache Classification Subcommittee |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Eight weekly classes with 12-minute sessions; follow-up at 3 months |
| Measures | Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health Perceived stress Tension headache |
| Key findings | MBSR reduced perceived stress and improved general mental health (Brief Symptom Inventory global severity index) in patients with tension-type headache, with improvements largely maintained at three months. The MBSR group showed lower perceived stress than the TAU group at posttest. |
Abstract
Programs for improving health status of patients with illness related to pain, such as headache, are often still in their infancy. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a new psychotherapy that appears to be effective in treating chronic pain and stress. This study evaluated efficacy of MBSR in treatment of perceived stress and mental health of client who has tension headache. This study is a randomized clinical trial. Sixty patients with tension type headache according to the International Headache Classification Subcommittee were randomly assigned to the Treatment As Usual (TAU) group or experimental group (MBSR). The MBSR group received eight weekly classmates with 12-min sessions. The sessions were based on MBSR protocol. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were administered in the pre- and posttreatment period and at 3 months follow-up for both the groups. The mean of total score of the BSI (global severity index; GSI) in MBSR group was 1.63 ± 0.56 before the intervention that was significantly reduced to 0.73 ± 0.46 and 0.93 ± 0.34 after the intervention and at the follow-up sessions, respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, the MBSR group showed lower scores in perceived stress in comparison with the control group at posttest evaluation. The mean of perceived stress before the intervention was 16.96 ± 2.53 and was changed to 12.7 ± 2.69 and 13.5 ± 2.33 after the intervention and at the follow-up sessions, respectively (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the mean of GSI in the TAU group was 1.77 ± 0.50 at pretest that was significantly reduced to 1.59 ± 0.52 and 1.78 ± 0.47 at posttest and follow-up, respectively (P < 0.001). Also, the mean of perceived stress in the TAU group at pretest was 15.9 ± 2.86 and that was changed to 16.13 ± 2.44 and 15.76 ± 2.22 at posttest and follow-up, respectively (P < 0.001). MBSR could reduce stress and improve general mental health in patients with tension headache.
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
Cited by 10
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for treating chronic headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis Cephalalgia June 4, 2018
- Mindfulness in migraine: A narrative review Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics January 14, 2020
- STRESS REDUCTION INTERVENTION FOR PREVENTIVE MEDICINE STUDENTS IN VIETNAM’S LIMITED RESOURCES SETTING STRESS REDUCTION INTERVENTION FOR PREVENTIVE MEDICINE STUDENTS IN VIETNAM’S LIMITED RESOURCES SETTING Archives of the Balkan Medical Union July 5, 2023
- Mindfulness influences the psycho-social dimension of chronic pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial in Indian context. Indian Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 2023
- Mindfulness Meditation: A Hellenic Perspective Through Quantitative and Qualitative Study Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research January 17, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 15
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Clarifying the construct of mindfulness in the context of emotion regulation and the process of change in therapy. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Effect of Mindfulness‐Based stress reduction in rheumatoid arthritis patients Arthritis Care & Research September 28, 2007
and 10 more in the library