Mindfulness Meditation Alleviates Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Several recent reviews have evaluated evidence on the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) among fibromyalgia sufferers, and concluded that more research should test effects on both psychological and physiological functioning. Purpose We conducted a randomized prospective...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of behavioral medicine 2015-06, Vol.49 (3), p.319-330
Main Authors: Cash, Elizabeth, Salmon, Paul, Weissbecker, Inka, Rebholz, Whitney N., Bayley-Veloso, René, Zimmaro, Lauren A., Floyd, Andrea, Dedert, Eric, Sephton, Sandra E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Clinical outcomes
Cost of Illness
Family Medicine
Female
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia - metabolism
Fibromyalgia - physiopathology
Fibromyalgia - therapy
Follow-Up Studies
General Practice
Health Psychology
Hormones
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Meditation
Meditation - methods
Mindfulness - methods
Original Article
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Sleep
Stress
Womens health
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Summary:Background Several recent reviews have evaluated evidence on the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) among fibromyalgia sufferers, and concluded that more research should test effects on both psychological and physiological functioning. Purpose We conducted a randomized prospective trial of MBSR among female fibromyalgia patients. Methods Effects on perceived stress, pain, sleep quality, fatigue, symptom severity, and salivary cortisol were tested in treatment ( n  = 51) versus wait-list control participants ( n  = 40) using data at baseline, post-program, and 2-month follow-up. Results Analyses revealed that MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress, sleep disturbance, and symptom severity, with gains maintained at follow-up. Greater home practice at follow-up was associated with reduced symptom severity. MBSR did not significantly alter pain, physical functioning, or cortisol profiles. Conclusion MBSR ameliorated some of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia and reduced subjective illness burden. Further exploration of MBSR effects on physiological stress responses is warranted. These results support use of MBSR as a complementary treatment for women with fibromyalgia (ISRCTN: 34628811).
ISSN:0883-6612
1532-4796
DOI:10.1007/s12160-014-9665-0