Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up.
Lone Overby Fjorback, Mikkel Arendt, Eva Ørnbøl, Harald Walach, Emma Rehfeld, Andreas Schröder, Per Fink
Journal of Psychosomatic Research January 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.09.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 119 |
| Population | Patients with bodily distress syndrome (somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness therapy (mindfulness-based stress reduction and some cognitive behavioral therapy elements for BDS) enhanced treatment as usual (2-hour specialist medical care and brief cognitive behavioral therapy for BDS) |
| Duration | 15-month follow-up |
| Measures | SF-36 Physical Component Summary |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness therapy did not produce a significantly different change in physical health (SF-36 Physical Component Summary) over 15 months compared with enhanced treatment as usual (F(3,2674)=1.51, P=.21). However, the mindfulness group improved toward the end of treatment and maintained improvement at 15 months, whereas the usual-care group showed no significant change until 15 months; average change was about half a standard deviation, with 29% changing more than one standard deviation. |
Abstract
To conduct a feasibility and efficacy trial of mindfulness therapy in somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome, defined as bodily distress syndrome (BDS). We randomized 119 patients to either mindfulness therapy (mindfulness-based stress reduction and some cognitive behavioral therapy elements for BDS) or to enhanced treatment as usual (2-hour specialist medical care and brief cognitive behavioral therapy for BDS). The primary outcome measure was change in physical health (SF-36 Physical Component Summary) from baseline to 15-month follow-up. The study is negative as we could not demonstrate a different development over time for the two groups (F(3,2674)=1.51, P=.21). However, in the mindfulness therapy group, improvement was obtained toward the end of treatment and it remained present at the 15-month follow-up, whereas the enhanced treatment as usual group achieved no significant change until 15-month follow-up. The change scores averaged half a standard deviation which amounts to a clinically significant change, 29% changed more than 1 standard deviation. Significant between-group differences were observed at treatment cessation. Mindfulness therapy is a feasible and acceptable treatment. The study showed that mindfulness therapy was comparable to enhanced treatment as usual in improving quality of life and symptoms. Nevertheless, considering the more rapid improvement following mindfulness, mindfulness therapy may be a potentially useful intervention in BDS patients. Clinically important changes that seem to be comparable to a CBT treatment approach were obtained. Further research is needed to replicate or even expand these findings.
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 27
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in a Self-Selecting and Self-Paying Community Setting Mindfulness December 18, 2017
- Effect of a one-week spiritual retreat on dopamine and serotonin transporter binding: a preliminary study Religion, Brain & Behavior March 22, 2017
- Mindfulness training for chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study Health Psychology Report January 31, 2017
- Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review RAND Corporation eBooks 2016
and 22 more in the library
Cites 17
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
and 12 more in the library