The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Cognitive and Psychosocial Well-Being Among Family Caregivers of Persons with Neurodegenerative Disease

Mallya, S. & Fiocco, A.J. Mindfulness (2019) 10: 2026

Abstract

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on cognitive function and well-being in family caregivers.

 

Methods

Family caregivers (N equal to 57) of a person with a neurodegenerative disease were recruited and assigned to an 8-week MBSR program (n equal to 33) or a psychoeducation-social support group (n equal to 24). All participants completed pre- and post-intervention assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning.

 

Results

Results suggested that MBSR was associated with a significantly larger reduction in self-reported depressive symptoms and perceived stress relative to the control group; however, no between-group differences were found for executive function or other cognitive outcomes.

 

Conclusions

This study contributes to the growing body of literature highlighting the potential use of contemplative practices for improving psychosocial well-being among family caregivers.

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Assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs on mental health during pregnancy and early motherhood – a randomized control trial.

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Oct 10

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The process of entering motherhood is highly stressful for women, with 15-85% of new mothers experiencing postpartum blues or depression. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting program in improving psychological health during the postpartum period.

METHODS:

This research was a randomized controlled trial with single blinding. Recruitment began after the participating hospital granted formal approval. A total of 74 women between 13 and 28-weeks gestation were allocated either to the intervention group or to the comparison group. The intervention program included a series of eight, 3-h classes held once weekly and 1 day of 7-h silent meditation. Psychological health was assessed at baseline and 3-months postpartum.

RESULTS:

Significant differences in stress and depression were observed in both groups over time. Stress scores and depression scores were significantly better in the intervention group than in the comparison group at 3-months postpartum (F = 7.19, p = .009 and F = 7.36, p = .008, respectively). No significant difference between the groups was identified for mindfulness scores at 3-months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS:

The intervention program effectively reduced postpartum self-perceived stress and depression, suggesting that this program provides acceptable and long-term benefits to women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The teaching and practice of mindfulness meditation and parenting education during pregnancy may help reduce stress and depression in pregnant women as they transition into parenthood.

 

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Mindfulness-based interventions in the early phase of affective and non-affective psychoses.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

J Affect Disord. 2019 Oct 10.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In the last 10 years, psychological approaches based on mindfulness techniques have been proposed for the management of psychotic experiences.

METHOD:

In this brief review we summarized, to our knowledge for the first time, published studies on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) applied to the early phase of major psychoses (affective and non-affective).

RESULTS:

Despite the great variability in terms of MBIs protocols, available studies on young people at risk to develop or with a first episode of psychosis suggest MBIs as a feasible, well-tolerated and effective approach in ameliorating symptoms, functioning, emotion regulation, and finally reducing the psychological distress associated with the onset of mania and/or psychotic experience.

LIMITATIONS:

The small sample size and inconsistencies between studies in terms of design, MBIs protocols and outcome measures suggest being cautious in interpreting and generalizing results. Moreover, specific guidelines are missing for the adaptation of MBIs to youth at risk of developing affective psychoses.

CONCLUSIONS:

Preliminary findings show that MBIs may be considered a promising adjunctive therapy for the treatment of major psychoses in the early phases of the illness. However, the conduct of further studies in larger samples and with a more rigorous methodology is warranted to confirm the beneficial effect of MBIs in the early stages of major psychoses.

 

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Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on health-related outcomes for patients with heart failure: a systematic review.

 

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2019 Oct 22:

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mindfulness-based interventions may offer a promising approach for promoting psychological and physical health and wellbeing for patients with heart failure. However, the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for this population have not been systematically reviewed.

AIMS:

This review aimed to synthesise available evidence to assess the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological and physical outcomes and health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure.

METHODS:

Seven English and two Chinese electronic databases were searched with keywords from inception to May 2019. Experimental studies that examined mindfulness-based interventions in adults with heart failure were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction and study quality assessment. The results were then narratively synthesised.

RESULTS:

This review identified five studies involving 467 patients with heart failure. The reviewed studies had weak to moderate quality. There were consistent findings that mindfulness-based interventions could significantly reduce depression (three studies) and anxiety (two studies) and improve health-related quality of life (two studies) after intervention. However, the effects on physical symptoms were inconsistent in three studies. The effects on physical function were only measured in one study, with non-significant changes being reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

This review provides preliminary evidence that mindfulness-based interventions are beneficial for patients with heart failure in reducing depression and anxiety and enhancing health-related quality of life in the short term. These findings should be carefully generalised considering the methodological limitations across studies. More rigorous studies are required to examine further the effects of mindfulness-based interventions in patients with heart failure.

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A Systematic Review on Mindfulness Meditation-Based Interventions for Sexual Dysfunctions.

 

J Sex Med. 2019 Oct;16

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Mindfulness-based therapies (MBT) are more and more frequently used in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions; therefore, it seems very important to assess evidence-based data on the clinical efficacy of these interventions.

AIM:

To provide a systematic review of published studies into the efficacy of MBT in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions.

METHODS:

The material for the analysis was obtained by searching 3 internet databases: EBSCO, PubMed, and ResearchGate. Articles describing therapeutic interventions on the basis of mindfulness and their efficiency in reducing sexual dysfunction symptoms in men and women were sought.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

15 original research articles were included to the review: 4 articles were devoted to the analysis of the efficiency of the mindfulness-based therapy in the reduction of sexual dysfunction related to pain in the genital-pelvic area, 10 to desire or sexual arousal disorders or both in women, and 1 to erectile dysfunction in men.

RESULTS:

Studies indicate that MBT led to improvement in subjectively evaluated arousal and desire, sexual satisfaction, and a reduction of fear linked with sexual activity, as well as improving the consistency between the subjectively perceived arousal and genital response in women. The research indicated that MBT did not make a significant change in a reduction of pain during sexual activities. Evidence-based data were found on the efficacy of MBT in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction in 1 study.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS:

MBT could be effectively used in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, specifically to improve sexual arousal/desire and satisfaction and to reduce sexual dysfunction associated with anxiety and negative cognitive schemas.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS:

The few studies available are affected by several methodologic limitations, including small numbers of participants, patient selection, application of complex therapeutic interventions, and a lack of homework assessment, which makes definite conclusions difficult to draw.

CONCLUSION:

The effects of MBT in female sexual dysfunctions are promising. In future studies, the mindfulness-based monotherapies should be implemented to verify their potential in reducing symptoms of sexual dysfunction. More research is needed to explore the potential of MBT in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction.

Jaderek I, Lew-Starowicz M. A Systematic Review on Mindfulness Meditation-Based Interventions for Sexual Dysfunctions. J Sex Med 2019;16:1581-1596.

 

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