The primary purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, facilitated by non-psychologist clinicians, for improving psychosocial well-being. A secondary purpose of the current study was to explore the role of self-compassion as a potential underlying factor for improvements in emotional distress. Application of these findings to a physical therapy setting is provided. One hundred and thirty participants with a variety of medical complaints completed an eight-week MBSR program at Vanderbilt University's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Prior to the intervention and at the eight-week time point, participants completed measures for emotional distress (Brief Symptom Inventory), stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), mindfulness (Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Scale), and self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale). Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to evaluate changes in outcomes after MBSR. Linear model estimation using ordinary least squares was used to evaluate the association between changes in self-compassion with changes in emotional distress. Following MBSR, participants reported significant reductions in emotional distress ( < 0.001). Additionally, participants reported improvements in mindfulness and self-compassion ( < 0.001). Linear regression model revealed that changes in self-compassion were significantly associated with changes in emotional distress ( < 0.001). An MBSR program conducted by non-psychologist clinicians was associated with improvements in emotional distress, stress, and self-compassion. MBSR is a promising adjunct intervention in which principles can be integrated within a physical therapy approach for chronic conditions.: 3B.

Explaining the etiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) from the psychogenic model is exceedingly unsophisticated, because neurocognitive deficits, neuroanatomical abnormalities, and distortions in cognitive mapping are features of CRPS pathology. More importantly, many people who have developed CRPS have no history of mental illness. The psychogenic model offers comfort to physicians and mental health practitioners (MHPs) who have difficulty understanding pain maintained by newly uncovered neuro inflammatory processes. With increased education about CRPS through a biopsychosocial perspective, both physicians and MHPs can better diagnose, treat, and manage CRPS symptomatology.

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