Feasibility study to assess the effect of a brief mindfulness intervention for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial.
Linda Perkins-Porras, Muhammad Riaz, Adeoba Okekunle, Svitlana Zhelezna, Indranil Chakravorty, Michael H Ussher
Chronic respiratory disease April 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1177/1479972318766140 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Hospital inpatients following acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based body scan |
| Duration | 10-minute intervention daily for three consecutive days |
| Measures | Borg scale, Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, six brief single-item measures of dyspnoea, anxiety, depression, happiness, stress and mindfulness |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Dyspnea Feasibility studies Stress, psychological Happiness Middle aged Female Dyspnoea Rct |
| Key findings | A 10-minute mindfulness-based body scan produced no significant differences from a control recording on distress, breathlessness, mood, or mindfulness across three days, though most outcomes showed a tendency to change. Most participants rated the intervention as useful and would recommend it, and the authors suggest the findings may help develop other brief interventions for this population. |
Abstract
Psychological distress is common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to assess whether a 10-minute mindfulness intervention reduces distress and breathlessness, improves mood and increases mindfulness among hospital inpatients following acute exacerbation of COPD.Fifty patients were recruited following an acute admission. The immediate effects of a 10-minute mindfulness-based body scan were compared with a control intervention. Participants were randomized to receive either a mindfulness-based body scan ( n = 24) or a control condition ( n = 26) via a 10-minute audio recording. Participants completed a self-assessment survey, including the Borg scale for breathlessness, Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. They then completed six brief single item measures of dyspnoea, anxiety, depression, happiness, stress and mindfulness before and after the intervention daily for three consecutive days. Acceptability was rated according to 'usefulness' and whether they would recommend the intervention to other patients. Results showed that there was a tendency for change in most outcomes, but no significant differences between the groups. Most participants rated the intervention as useful and would recommend it. Existing knowledge of mindfulness interventions among these patients is very limited and this study may be helpful in the development of other brief interventions.
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 4
- Digital mindfulness-based intervention for people with COPD - a multicentre pilot and feasibility RCT. Respiratory research May 26, 2025
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pulmonary Diseases: A Systematic Review of Effects on Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Dyspnea, and Quality of Life Bioengineering August 29, 2025
- Mindfulness knowledge and practice in patients with cardiopulmonary conditions: A qualitative thematic analysis of adults living with pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease✰. Heart & Lung February 12, 2026
- Patient Perspectives on Mindfulness-Based Interventions During Hospitalization for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Exploratory Interview Study Mindfulness July 1, 2024
Cites 8
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
- How long does a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress Journal of Clinical Psychology March 23, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Theory and Practice The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 2012
- Views on a brief mindfulness intervention among patients with long-term illness BMC Psychology November 14, 2016
- Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based therapy for dyspnea in chronic obstructive lung disease. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 2009
and 3 more in the library