This acclaimed work, now in a new edition, has introduced tens of thousands of clinicians to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for depression, an 8-week program with proven effectiveness. Step by step, the authors explain the "whys" and "how-tos" of conducting mindfulness practices and cognitive interventions that have been shown to bolster recovery from depression and prevent relapse. Clinicians are also guided to practice mindfulness themselves, an essential prerequisite to teaching others. Forty-five reproducible handouts are included. Purchasers get access to a companion website featuring downloadable audio recordings of the guided mindfulness practices (meditations and mindful movement), plus all of the reproducibles, ready to download and print in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. A separate website for use by clients features the audio recordings only. New to This Edition *Incorporates a decade's worth of developments in MBCT clinical practice and training. *Chapters on additional treatment components: the pre-course interview and optional full-day retreat. *Chapters on self-compassion, the inquiry process, and the three-minute breathing space. *Findings from multiple studies of MBCT's effectiveness and underlying mechanisms. Includes studies of adaptations for treating psychological and physical health problems other than depression. *Audio files of the guided mindfulness practices, narrated by the authors, on two separate Web pages--one for professionals, together with the reproducibles, and one just for clients. See also the authors' related titles for clients: The Mindful Way through Depression demonstrates these proven strategies in a self-help format, with in-depth stories and examples. The Mindful Way Workbook gives clients additional, explicit support for building their mindfulness practice, following the sequence of the MBCT program. Plus, for professionals: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with People at Risk of Suicide extends and refines MBCT for clients with suicidal depression.
For people at risk of depressive relapse, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has an additive benefitto usual care (H. F. Coelho, P. H. Canter, & E. Ernst, 2007). This study asked if, among patients with recurrent
depression who are treated with antidepressant medication (ADM), MBCT is comparable to treatment with
maintenance ADM (m-ADM) in (a) depressive relapse prevention, (b) key secondary outcomes, and (c) cost effectiveness. The study design was a parallel 2-group randomized controlled trial comparing those on m-ADM (N 62) with those receiving MBCT plus support to taper/discontinue antidepressants (N 61).
Relapse/recurrence rates over 15-month follow-ups in MBCT were 47%, compared with 60% in the m-ADM
group (hazard ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 1.04). MBCT was more effective than m-ADM
in reducing residual depressive symptoms and psychiatric comorbidity and in improving quality of life in the
physical and psychological domains. There was no difference in average annual cost between the 2 groups.
Rates of ADM usage in the MBCT group was significantly reduced, and 46 patients (75%) completely discontinued their ADM. For patients treated with ADM, MBCT may provide an alternative approach for relapse prevention.
For people at risk of depressive relapse, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has an additive benefitto usual care (H. F. Coelho, P. H. Canter, & E. Ernst, 2007). This study asked if, among patients with recurrent
depression who are treated with antidepressant medication (ADM), MBCT is comparable to treatment with
maintenance ADM (m-ADM) in (a) depressive relapse prevention, (b) key secondary outcomes, and (c) cost effectiveness. The study design was a parallel 2-group randomized controlled trial comparing those on m-ADM (N 62) with those receiving MBCT plus support to taper/discontinue antidepressants (N 61).
Relapse/recurrence rates over 15-month follow-ups in MBCT were 47%, compared with 60% in the m-ADM
group (hazard ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 1.04). MBCT was more effective than m-ADM
in reducing residual depressive symptoms and psychiatric comorbidity and in improving quality of life in the
physical and psychological domains. There was no difference in average annual cost between the 2 groups.
Rates of ADM usage in the MBCT group was significantly reduced, and 46 patients (75%) completely discontinued their ADM. For patients treated with ADM, MBCT may provide an alternative approach for relapse prevention.
For people at risk of depressive relapse, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has an additive benefitto usual care (H. F. Coelho, P. H. Canter, & E. Ernst, 2007). This study asked if, among patients with recurrent
depression who are treated with antidepressant medication (ADM), MBCT is comparable to treatment with
maintenance ADM (m-ADM) in (a) depressive relapse prevention, (b) key secondary outcomes, and (c) cost effectiveness. The study design was a parallel 2-group randomized controlled trial comparing those on m-ADM (N 62) with those receiving MBCT plus support to taper/discontinue antidepressants (N 61).
Relapse/recurrence rates over 15-month follow-ups in MBCT were 47%, compared with 60% in the m-ADM
group (hazard ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 1.04). MBCT was more effective than m-ADM
in reducing residual depressive symptoms and psychiatric comorbidity and in improving quality of life in the
physical and psychological domains. There was no difference in average annual cost between the 2 groups.
Rates of ADM usage in the MBCT group was significantly reduced, and 46 patients (75%) completely discontinued their ADM. For patients treated with ADM, MBCT may provide an alternative approach for relapse prevention.
Previous research on depressed and suicidal patients and those with posttraumatic stress disorder has shown that patients' memory for the past is overgeneral (i.e., patients retrieve generic summaries of past events rather than specific events). This study investigated whether autobiographical memory could be affected by psychological treatment. Recovered depressed patients were randomly allocated to receive either treatment as usual or treatment designed to reduce risk of relapse. Whereas control patients showed no change in specificity of memories recalled in response to cue words, the treatment group showed a significantly reduced number of generic memories. Although such a memory deficit may arise from long-standing tendencies to encode and retrieve events generically, such a style is open to modification.
Previous research on depressed and suicidal patients and those with posttraumatic stress disorder has shown that patients' memory for the past is overgeneral (i.e., patients retrieve generic summaries of past events rather than specific events). This study investigated whether autobiographical memory could be affected by psychological treatment. Recovered depressed patients were randomly allocated to receive either treatment as usual or treatment designed to reduce risk of relapse. Whereas control patients showed no change in specificity of memories recalled in response to cue words, the treatment group showed a significantly reduced number of generic memories. Although such a memory deficit may arise from long-standing tendencies to encode and retrieve events generically, such a style is open to modification.
Previous research on depressed and suicidal patients and those with posttraumatic stress disorder has shown that patients' memory for the past is overgeneral (i.e., patients retrieve generic summaries of past events rather than specific events). This study investigated whether autobiographical memory could be affected by psychological treatment. Recovered depressed patients were randomly allocated to receive either treatment as usual or treatment designed to reduce risk of relapse. Whereas control patients showed no change in specificity of memories recalled in response to cue words, the treatment group showed a significantly reduced number of generic memories. Although such a memory deficit may arise from long-standing tendencies to encode and retrieve events generically, such a style is open to modification.
CONTEXT: Previous studies on the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy on chronic pain syndromes have been hampered by study design.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short-term efficacy of MBSR therapy for improving quality of life in adults with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).
DESIGN: A single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial.
PATIENTS AND SETTING: Participants were recruited from a multidisciplinary spine and rehabilitation center in the greater Portland, Maine, area.
INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were randomly assigned at baseline to receive either MBSR therapy plus traditional therapy or traditional therapy alone for an 8-week period. Those receiving MBSR therapy completed weekly group sessions, and the control group continued with their traditional care as prescribed by their medical care providers. At study enrollment and at 12-week follow-up, all participants completed questionnaires on pain, quality of life, functionality, analgesic use, and sleep quality. Patients in the intervention group also completed questionnaires at 40-week follow-up.
RESULTS: The final analysis included 25 patients with FBSS; 15 patients were in the MBSR intervention arm, and 10 in the control group. At 12-week follow-up, patients in the intervention arm had a mean 7.0-point increase (on an 108-point [corrected] scale) in pain acceptance and quality of life on the Chronic Pain Assessment Questionnaire, a mean 3.6-point [corrected] decrease (on a 24-point scale) in functional limitation on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, a mean 6.9-point [corrected] reduction (on a 30-point scale) in pain level on the Summary Visual Analog Scale for Pain, a mean 1.5-point [corrected] reduction (on a 4-point scale) in frequency of use and potency of analgesics used for pain and recorded on logs, and a mean 2.0-point [corrected] increase (on a 5-point scale) in sleep quality on the abridged Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory. These results were statistically and clinically significant compared to outcomes for the control group.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MBSR can be a useful clinical intervention for patients with FBSS.
CONTEXT: Previous studies on the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy on chronic pain syndromes have been hampered by study design.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short-term efficacy of MBSR therapy for improving quality of life in adults with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).
DESIGN: A single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial.
PATIENTS AND SETTING: Participants were recruited from a multidisciplinary spine and rehabilitation center in the greater Portland, Maine, area.
INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were randomly assigned at baseline to receive either MBSR therapy plus traditional therapy or traditional therapy alone for an 8-week period. Those receiving MBSR therapy completed weekly group sessions, and the control group continued with their traditional care as prescribed by their medical care providers. At study enrollment and at 12-week follow-up, all participants completed questionnaires on pain, quality of life, functionality, analgesic use, and sleep quality. Patients in the intervention group also completed questionnaires at 40-week follow-up.
RESULTS: The final analysis included 25 patients with FBSS; 15 patients were in the MBSR intervention arm, and 10 in the control group. At 12-week follow-up, patients in the intervention arm had a mean 7.0-point increase (on an 108-point [corrected] scale) in pain acceptance and quality of life on the Chronic Pain Assessment Questionnaire, a mean 3.6-point [corrected] decrease (on a 24-point scale) in functional limitation on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, a mean 6.9-point [corrected] reduction (on a 30-point scale) in pain level on the Summary Visual Analog Scale for Pain, a mean 1.5-point [corrected] reduction (on a 4-point scale) in frequency of use and potency of analgesics used for pain and recorded on logs, and a mean 2.0-point [corrected] increase (on a 5-point scale) in sleep quality on the abridged Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory. These results were statistically and clinically significant compared to outcomes for the control group.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MBSR can be a useful clinical intervention for patients with FBSS.
<p>The literature is replete with evidence that the stress inherent in health care negatively impacts health care professionals, leading to increased depression, decreased job satisfaction, and psychological distress. In an attempt to address this, the current study examined the effects of a short-term stress management program, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), on health care professionals. Results from this prospective randomized controlled pilot study suggest that an 8-week MBSR intervention may be effective for reducing stress and increasing quality of life and self-compassion in health care professionals. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.</p>
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The literature is replete with evidence that the stress inherent in health care negatively impacts health care professionals, leading to increased depression, decreased job satisfaction, and psychological distress. In an attempt to address this, the current study examined the effects of a short-term stress management program, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), on health care professionals. Results from this prospective randomized controlled pilot study suggest that an 8-week MBSR intervention may be effective for reducing stress and increasing quality of life and self-compassion in health care professionals. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
CONTEXT: Patients who have received solid organ transplants continue to experience a myriad of complex symptoms related to their underlying disease and to chronic immunosuppression that reduce the quality of life. Beneficial nonpharmacologic therapies to address these symptoms have not been established in the transplant population.OBJECTIVE: Assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep in transplant patients.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Controlled trial with a two-staged randomization. Recipients of kidney, kidney/pancreas, liver, heart, or lung transplants were randomized to MBSR (n=72) or health education (n=66) initially or after serving in a waitlist. Mean age was 54 years (range 21-75); 55% were men, and 91% were white.
INTERVENTIONS: MBSR, a mindfulness meditation training program consisting of eight weekly 2.5-hour classes; health education, a peer-led active control.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) scales assessed by self-report at baseline, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year.
RESULTS: Benefits of MBSR were above and beyond those afforded by the active control. MBSR reduced anxiety and sleep symptoms (P < .02), with medium treatment effects (.51 and .56) at 1 year compared to health education in intention-to-treat analyses. Within the MBSR group, anxiety, depression, and sleep symptoms decreased and quality-of-life measures improved by 8 weeks (P < .01, all), and benefits were retained at 1 year (P < .05, all). Initial symptom reductions in the health education group were smaller and not sustained. Comparisons to the waitlist confirmed the impact of MBSR on both symptoms and quality of life, whereas health education improvements were limited to quality-of-life ratings.
CONCLUSIONS: MBSR reduced distressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep and improved quality of life. Benefits were sustained over 1 year. A health education program provided fewer benefits, and effects were not as durable. MBSR is a relatively inexpensive, safe, and effective community-based intervention.
CONTEXT: Patients who have received solid organ transplants continue to experience a myriad of complex symptoms related to their underlying disease and to chronic immunosuppression that reduce the quality of life. Beneficial nonpharmacologic therapies to address these symptoms have not been established in the transplant population.OBJECTIVE: Assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep in transplant patients.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Controlled trial with a two-staged randomization. Recipients of kidney, kidney/pancreas, liver, heart, or lung transplants were randomized to MBSR (n=72) or health education (n=66) initially or after serving in a waitlist. Mean age was 54 years (range 21-75); 55% were men, and 91% were white.
INTERVENTIONS: MBSR, a mindfulness meditation training program consisting of eight weekly 2.5-hour classes; health education, a peer-led active control.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) scales assessed by self-report at baseline, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year.
RESULTS: Benefits of MBSR were above and beyond those afforded by the active control. MBSR reduced anxiety and sleep symptoms (P < .02), with medium treatment effects (.51 and .56) at 1 year compared to health education in intention-to-treat analyses. Within the MBSR group, anxiety, depression, and sleep symptoms decreased and quality-of-life measures improved by 8 weeks (P < .01, all), and benefits were retained at 1 year (P < .05, all). Initial symptom reductions in the health education group were smaller and not sustained. Comparisons to the waitlist confirmed the impact of MBSR on both symptoms and quality of life, whereas health education improvements were limited to quality-of-life ratings.
CONCLUSIONS: MBSR reduced distressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep and improved quality of life. Benefits were sustained over 1 year. A health education program provided fewer benefits, and effects were not as durable. MBSR is a relatively inexpensive, safe, and effective community-based intervention.
OBJECTIVE: Emergency medical service (EMS) providers are systematically subjected to intense stimuli in their work that may result in distress and emotional suffering. While it is known that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) helps to foster well-being in healthcare workers, the effectiveness of MBSR among EMS providers is less understood. We explored the impact of a modified version of MBSR for healthcare workers called Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers (MHP) on reducing distress and promoting wellbeing in EMS providers.METHODS: A one-arm pilot study was conducted. We implemented eight two-and-a-half hour sessions of Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers with an additional day-long retreat at the end. Feasibility, perceived stress, professional quality of life, and trait mindfulness were assessed prior to and after the intervention. The professional quality of life scale includes measures of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary trauma.
RESULTS: Fifteen veteran EMS providers enrolled in the course; four participants dropped out. Prior to initiation of the study, no significant differences were revealed between those who did not participate (n = 48) and those who did (n = 11). After the intervention EMS providers endorsed statistically significant increases in compassion satisfaction, trait mindfulness, and decreases in burnout compared to the beginning of the program. These changes were sustained at six months post-completion. No significant changes over time were found for secondary trauma or perceived stress.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study is the first to employ Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers in an EMS population and to demonstrate a positive impact on self-reported compassion, trait mindfulness, and burnout in this population. Additional research regarding mindfulness training within EMS populations should be conducted to further understand the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress over time.
ObjectiveEmergency medical service (EMS) providers are systematically subjected to intense stimuli in their work that may result in distress and emotional suffering. While it is known that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) helps to foster well-being in healthcare workers, the effectiveness of MBSR among EMS providers is less understood. We explored the impact of a modified version of MBSR for healthcare workers called Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers (MHP) on reducing distress and promoting wellbeing in EMS providers.
Methods
A one-arm pilot study was conducted. We implemented eight two-and-a-half hour sessions of Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers with an additional day-long retreat at the end. Feasibility, perceived stress, professional quality of life, and trait mindfulness were assessed prior to and after the intervention. The professional quality of life scale includes measures of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary trauma.
Results
Fifteen veteran EMS providers enrolled in the course; four participants dropped out. Prior to initiation of the study, no significant differences were revealed between those who did not participate (n = 48) and those who did (n = 11). After the intervention EMS providers endorsed statistically significant increases in compassion satisfaction, trait mindfulness, and decreases in burnout compared to the beginning of the program. These changes were sustained at six months post-completion. No significant changes over time were found for secondary trauma or perceived stress.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this study is the first to employ Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers in an EMS population and to demonstrate a positive impact on self-reported compassion, trait mindfulness, and burnout in this population. Additional research regarding mindfulness training within EMS populations should be conducted to further understand the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress over time.
Background. Motor and nonmotor symptoms negatively influence Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients’ quality of life. Mindfulness interventions have been a recent focus in PD. The present study explores effectiveness of a manualized group mindfulness intervention tailored for PD in improving both motor and neuropsychiatric deficits in PD. Methods. Fourteen PD patients completed an 8-week mindfulness intervention that included 6 sessions. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, PD Cognitive Rating Scale, Unified PD Rating Scale, PD Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45) were administered before and after the intervention. Participants also completed the FFMQ-15 at each session. Gains at postassessment and at 6-month follow-up were compared to baseline using paired -tests and Wilcoxon nonparametric tests. Results. A significant increase in FFMQ-Observe subscale, a reduction in anxiety, depression, and OQ-45 symptom distress, an increase in PDCRS-Subcortical scores, and an improvement in postural instability, gait, and rigidity motor symptoms were observed at postassessment. Gains for the PDCRS were sustained at follow-up. Conclusion. The mindfulness intervention tailored for PD is associated with reduced anxiety and depression and improved cognitive and motor functioning. A randomised controlled trial using a large sample of PD patients is warranted.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are efficacious and effective for a variety of mental and physical health problems. Mindfulness meditation is a primary therapeutic strategy employed within MBIs and is hypothesized to increase mindfulness and, in turn, lead to positive outcomes. However, evidence in support of mindfulness meditation practice as a key treatment component in MBIs is mixed, in part because little is known about how prescribed meditation practice times and adherence to home-based meditation practice relate to one another and outcomes. The present study evaluated relations among adherence, meditation practice time, and psychiatric symptoms following two 2-week mindfulness meditation interventions: one that prescribed 10-min daily meditation and another that prescribed 20-min daily meditation. Participants (N = 77; female = 56, M age = 20.16; White = 51.9%; African American = 14.3%; Hispanic = 14.3%; Asian = 10.4%; other = 6.5%; multiethnic = 2.6%) also completed daily diaries to assess adherence. Results indicated no significant group difference in total days meditated or overall time spent meditating. Stress declined and mindfulness increased over the 2 weeks for both groups. Despite no difference in adherence, participants in the 20-min group reported larger increases in self-compassion relative to those in the 10-min group. Implications for enhancing adherence within MBIs are discussed.
Research examining nonpharmacological interventions for adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has expanded in recent years and provides patients with more treatment options. Mindfulness-based training is an example of an intervention that is gaining promising preliminary empirical support and is increasingly administered in clinical settings. The aim of this review is to provide a rationale for the application of mindfulness to individuals diagnosed with ADHD, describe the current state of the empirical basis for mindfulness training in ADHD, and summarize a treatment approach specific to adults diagnosed with ADHD: the Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) for ADHD Program. Two case study examples are provided to demonstrate relevant clinical issues for practitioners interested in this approach. Directions for future research, including mindfulness meditation as a standalone treatment and as a complementary approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy, are provided.
<p>Mindfulness refers to a set of practices as well as the psychological state and trait produced by such practices. The state, trait, and practice of mindfulness may be broadly characterized by a present-oriented, nonjudgmental awareness of cognitions, emotions, sensations, and perceptions without fixation on thoughts of past or future. Research on mindfulness has proliferated over the past decade. Given the explosion of scientific interest in this topic, mindfulness-based therapies are attracting the attention of clinical social workers, who seek to implement these interventions in numerous practice settings. Concomitantly, research on mindfulness is now falling within the scope and purview of social work scholars. In response to the growing interest in mindfulness within academic social work, the present article outlines six conceptual and methodological recommendations for the conduct of future empirical studies on mindfulness. These recommendations have practical importance for advancing mindfulness research within and beyond social work.</p>
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Evidence suggests mindfulness‐based clinical interventions are effective. Accepting this, we caution against assuming that mindfulness can be applied as a generic technique across a range of disorders without formulating how the approach addresses the factors maintaining the disorder in question. Six specific issues are raised: mindfulness has been found to be unhelpful in some contexts; where mindfulness has been found to be effective, instructors have derived and shared with clients a clear problem formulation; there may be many dimensions of effectiveness underlying the apparent simplicity of mindfulness; mindfulness was developed within a particular “view” of emotional suffering that implies wider changes that go beyond meditation practice alone; professionals need to match the different components of mindfulness with the psychopathology being targeted; nonetheless, mindfulness may affect processes common to different pathologies.
Evidence suggests mindfulness-based clinical interventions are effective. Accepting this, we caution against assuming that mindfulness can be applied as a generic technique across a range of disorders (as suggested by R. Baer, see record 2003-03824-001) without formulating how the approach addresses the factors maintaining the disorder in question. Six specific issues are raised: mindfulness has been found to be unhelpful in some contexts; where mindfulness has been found to be effective, instructors have derived and shared with clients a clear problem formulation; there may be many dimensions of effectiveness underlying the apparent simplicity of mindfulness; mindfulness was developed within a particular "view" of emotional suffering that implies wider changes that go beyond meditation practice alone; professionals need to match the different components of mindfulness with the psychopathology being targeted; nonetheless, mindfulness may affect processes common to different pathologies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Organizations are turning toward behavioral interventions with the aim of improving employee well-being and job performance. Mindfulness training has been suggested as one type of intervention that can achieve these goals, but few active treatment randomized controlled trials have been conducted. We conducted a randomized controlled trial among employees of a midwestern marketing firm (n = 60) that compared the effects of 6-week mindfulness training program with that of a half-day mindfulness training seminar comparison program on employee well-being outcomes. Although both groups improved comparably on job productivity, the 6-week mindfulness training group had significantly greater improvement in attentional focus at work and decreases in work–life conflict, as well as a marginal improvement in job satisfaction compared with the half-day seminar comparison group. These findings suggest that although small doses of mindfulness training may be sufficient to foster increased perceptions of job productivity, longer term mindfulness training programs are needed to improve focus, job satisfaction, and a positive relationship to work.
Research shows that after training in the philosophy and practice of mindfulness, parents can mindfully attend to the challenging behaviors of their children with autism. Parents also report an increased satisfaction with their parenting skills and social interactions with their children. These findings were replicated and extended with 4 parents of children who had developmental disabilities, exhibited aggressive behavior, and had limited social skills. After mindfulness training, the parents were able to decrease aggressive behavior and increase their children's social skills. They also reported a greater practice of mindfulness, increased satisfaction with their parenting, more social interactions with their children, and lower parenting stress. Furthermore, the children showed increased positive and decreased negative social interactions with their siblings. We speculate that mindfulness produces transformational change in the parents that is reflected in enhanced positive behavioral transactions with their children.
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CASE ILLUSTRATION 1Jeffrey Borzak, a patient I knew well, seemed to be recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery. On rounds, I sensed that there was something that was wrong, but I could not put my finger on it. In retrospect, his color was not quite right—he was grayish-pale, his blood pressure was too easily controlled, he was even hypotensive on one occasion, and he seemed more depressed than usual. He reported no chest pain or shortness of breath, and had no pedal edema, elevated jugular venous pressure, or other abnormalities on his physical examination. But still I did not feel comfortable, and although there were no “red flags,” I ordered an echocardiogram which showed a new area of ischemia. An angiogram showed that one of the grafts had occluded. After angioplasty, Mr. Borzak looked and felt better, and he again required his usual antihypertensive medications.
CASE ILLUSTRATION 1Jeffrey Borzak, a patient I knew well, seemed to be recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery. On rounds, I sensed that there was something that was wrong, but I could not put my finger on it. In retrospect, his color was not quite right—he was grayish-pale, his blood pressure was too easily controlled, he was even hypotensive on one occasion, and he seemed more depressed than usual. He reported no chest pain or shortness of breath, and had no pedal edema, elevated jugular venous pressure, or other abnormalities on his physical examination. But still I did not feel comfortable, and although there were no “red flags,” I ordered an echocardiogram which showed a new area of ischemia. An angiogram showed that one of the grafts had occluded. After angioplasty, Mr. Borzak looked and felt better, and he again required his usual antihypertensive medications.
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