Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: effect on emotional distress in diabetes

Abstract

Psychological distress is common in patients with diabetes. Little is known about the impact of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a non-traditional, cognitive behavioural intervention designed to improve stress management skills, in patients with diabetes. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the impact of MBSR training on mood states in 25 individuals with diabetes. All participants completed the Profile of Mood States Short Form (POMS-SF) at baseline and following eight weeks of MBSR. Overall psychological distress measured by the total mood score (TMS) and six subscales – including tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, anger/hostility, fatigue/inertia, confusion/bewilderment and vigour/activity – were assessed. Overall mood, measured by the TMS, as well as all subscale mood measurements improved significantly from baseline following MBSR training. Compared to population means, those with diabetes had higher distress at baseline and similar levels of distress following MBSR training. The primary reason participants reported for enrolling in the MBSR course was to improve stress management skills. It was concluded that MBSR training is a promising, group-based intervention that can be used to decrease psychological distress in individuals with diabetes who perceive a need for training in stress management.

Kindness Matters: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention Improves Depression, Distress, and HbA1c Among Patients With Diabetes

“…First, the finding that the MSC program reduced depression adds to the overall evidence for psychosocial interventions among patients with diabetes (6-9) as well as is consistent with several mindfulness-based RCTs (4,20,21) and uncontrolled studies (28,29). However, although mindfulness is a foundation of MSC, self-compassion is broader in scope than mindfulness alone, concurrently emphasizing self-kindness (rather than self-criticism) and common humanity (compared with isolation), qualities also associated with well-being (13).…”

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Physical Conditions: A Narrative Review Evaluating Levels of Evidence

“…In addition to one pre-post study of 25 patients which showed improvements across mood scales [94], several studies have compared MBIs to randomized control conditions. A small RCT compared MBSR to nutrition control in 20 patients [95] and investigated effects on neuropathic pain, QL, and sleep.…”

A Systematic Review of the Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Interventions following Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke

“…Potential benefits are wide ranging. Physical and psychological health benefits include improved glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus , alleviation of emotional distress in diabetes , alleviation of depression in individuals with cardiac disease and diabetes , alleviation of anxiety and reduction in levels of perceived stress in a range of conditions including heart disease, cancer, anxiety, and depression . Thus, given the high prevalence of comorbidity, in particular depression and anxiety disorder , among stroke patients, MBIs are potentially relevant therapeutic interventions, offering a range of health benefits including alleviation of perceived psychosocial stress.…”