Investigating the Efficacy of Stress Reduction Interventions Based on Mindfulness Principles in Improving Life Quality for Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
AK Mukhiddin Ugli, Ihsan Khudhair Jasim, Ahmed Shihab Ahmed, Mohaned Mohammed Hani, Nashat Ali Soud, Jawad Kadhim Ahmed, Ali Turki Shnishil, Riyadh Mohammed Mohsin
International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture October 22, 2026 DOI: 10.22122/ijbmc.v11isp.724 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | An eight-week MBSR program added to standard care led to significantly greater improvements than standard care alone in quality of life (SGRQ total change -12.4 points), anxiety (-3.5), depression (-3.1), mindfulness (22.3), and self-compassion (15.7) at post-intervention, with benefits maintained at three months. |
Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a complementary therapy for chronic conditions. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an eight-week MBSR program in improving QoL, self-compassion, mindfulness, depression, and anxiety among COPD patients.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 COPD patients allocated to either an MBSR intervention group (n = 60) or a control group (CG) receiving standard care (n = 60). The MBSR program consisted of weekly 2.5-hour sessions for eight weeks. The primary outcome was the change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total scores from baseline to post-intervention. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) scores. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and three months follow-up.
Results: The MBSR group showed a significantly greater reduction in SGRQ total scores (-12.4 ± 8.7) compared to the CG (P < 0.001) at post-intervention. Significant improvements were also observed in the MBSR group relative to the CG for HADS-Anxiety (change: -3.5 ± 2.8, P < 0.001), HADS-Depression (change: -3.1 ± 2.6, P < 0.001), FFMQ total (change: 22.3 ± 12.5, P < 0.001), and SCS total (change: 15.7 ± 10.2, P < 0.001) scores at post-intervention. The improvements were maintained at the three months follow-up (all P < 0.001).
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 |