Mindfulness facets as differential mediators of short and long-term effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in diabetes outpatients: Findings from the DiaMind randomized trial.
Sharon Haenen, Ivan Nyklíček, Jenny Van Son, Victor J. Pop, François Pouwer
Journal of Psychosomatic Research June 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.04.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 139 |
| Population | Outpatients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and low levels of emotional wellbeing |
| Intervention | Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Diabetes Mediators Psychological distress Randomized trial |
| Key findings | Increases in total mindfulness and the facets observing and nonreactivity mediated the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on depressed and angry mood, anxiety (observing only), and perceived stress (nonreactivity only) from pre- to post-intervention. From post-intervention to six-month follow-up, acting with awareness and nonjudging also mediated effects on depressed, anxious, and angry mood, while only nonjudging mediated perceived stress, suggesting different facets matter for immediate versus longer-term change. |
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that mindfulness-based interventions reduce psychological distress in various medical populations. However, it has hardly been studied if these effects are mediated by an increase in mindfulness. The aim of this study was to examine mediating effects of various mindfulness facets on effects of a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on perceived stress and mood. Outpatients with diabetes types 1 and 2 and low levels of emotional wellbeing were randomized into a group receiving MBCT (n=70) or a waiting-list control group (n=69). Primary outcomes were mood and perceived stress. Before, after and at follow-up (6months post intervention) relevant questionnaires were completed. Mediation analysis using bootstrap resampling indicated that increases in total mindfulness and the facets observing and nonreactivity mediated the effects of the intervention on depressed and angry mood, anxiety (only observing), and perceived stress (only nonreactivity) from pre- to post-intervention. In contrast, from post-intervention to follow-up, besides total mindfulness the facets of acting with awareness and nonjudging mediated the effects on depressed, anxious, and angry mood, while only nonjudging mediated the effects on perceived stress. The findings indicate that increases in levels of mindfulness mediate the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in patients with diabetes. It is notable that different facets may be important for immediate change versus long-term outcome. These findings might be relevant for post-intervention care.
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 16
- A Mindfulness‐Based Intervention: Differential Effects on Affective and Processual Evolution Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being September 6, 2018
- Meditation for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews February 15, 2024
- Effectiveness of an age-modified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in improving mental health in older people with depressive symptoms: a non-randomised controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies February 26, 2025
- Exploring the applicability of a multifactor mindfulness scale in the Chinese college context. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Mindful Non-reactivity, Anxiety, Depression, and Perceived Stress as Mediators of the Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention: Pathways to Enhance Mental Health in University Students. JMIR Mental Health May 13, 2025
and 11 more in the library
Cites 25
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
and 20 more in the library