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Research Update

October 19, 2020 by hw8w@virginia.edu

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Improve Psychological Health and Well-Being

Much of the burden associated with poor mental health is from symptoms experienced by the general population. These authors undertook a systematic review of studies of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) conducted among individuals without diagnosed psychological conditions. They included 49 studies with a total of 4,733 subjects. When compared with a passive control, these mindfulness-based programs significantly reduced rumination/worry, stress/psychological distress, depression and anxiety, and significantly improved quality of life/well-being. This study provides evidence that among individuals without diagnosed psychological conditions, mindfulness-based programs are associated with benefits to health and well-being. These findings add to the evidence that MBSR and MBCT may be effective approaches for improving mental distress in the general population and could be useful as public mental health interventions.

Querstret D, et al.  International Journal of Stress Management https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/str0000165 .

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