A Controlled Study of a Group Mindfulness Intervention for Individuals Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Published in: Inflammatory bowel diseases 2016-03, Vol.22 (3), p.694-701
• Main Authors: Neilson, Kate, Ftanou, Maria, Monshat, Kaveh, Salzberg, Mike, Bell, Sally, Kamm, Michael A, Connell, William, Knowles, Simon R, Sevar, Katherine, Mancuso, Sam G, Castle, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - prevention & control; Case-Control Studies; Depression - etiology; Depression - prevention & control; Early Intervention (Education); Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - complications; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - psychology; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Mindfulness - methods; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Prognosis; Quality of Life; Research Design; Stress, Psychological - complications; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Stress, Psychological - therapy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1078-0998; 1536-4844
• DOI: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000629

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (MI-IBD). Treatment-as-usual control versus mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention. Sixty patients participated in either the MI-IBD (n = 33) or treatment-as-usual group (n = 27) conditions. The MI-IBD consisted of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction training group. Outcome measures were administered at baseline (before intervention), immediately after intervention, and 6 months after intervention. Primary outcomes included measures of quality of life, psychological distress (depression and anxiety), and mindfulness. Data for MI-IBD group participants also included weekly attendance, daily minutes meditated, and satisfaction with the program. There were no baseline differences between intervention and control groups on demographic variables or inflammatory bowel disease severity. Compared with the control group, the MI-IBD group reported significantly greater improvements in anxiety, quality of life, and mindfulness at after intervention, with reduction in depression and improvements in quality of life and mindfulness maintained at 6 months after intervention. Results demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a mindfulness intervention for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with medium-to-large effects on psychological distress, quality of life, and mindfulness.