MOUNTAINS MINDFULNESS

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BLUE MOUNTAINS MINDFULNESS TRAINING

​Research and References

Some research findings on people who complete an 8 week MBSR program

Anxiety

MBSR contributes to clinically reduced symptoms of anxiety, psychological distress and secondary depression.Link

Depression

The skills derived from mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) have been shown to be effective in significantly reducing the recurrence of major depression in patients who have had  3 or more episodes of major depression. This is comparable in effectiveness to the use of anti-depressant medication Link

Headaches  & migraines
 
Often decreases headaches and their impact. Link

Chronic pain

MBSR can often reduce the experience of pain and can mediate pains inhibition of daily activities. It can often lead to a reduction in the use of pain medication. Link

Hypertension

Hypertension is reduced in rates comparable with medication Link

Asthma
                               
MBSR helps improve psychological well being and adherence to treatment, and  helps reduces the of frequency of asthma attacks. Link

Irritable bowel syndrome

Often improves significantly Link

Multiple sclerosis
 
MBSR in addition to regular treatment can lead to improvement in a broad range of symptoms, including balance. Link
 
Coronary heart disease

The addition of meditation training to standard cardiac rehabilitation regimes has been shown to significantly reduce mortality, morbidity, psychological distress and some biological risk factors. Link

Cancer

Randomized contol trials show MBSR resulting in significant decreases in anxiety, depression, anger and confusion in cancer patients. They also demonstrate decreased symptoms of physical stress such as cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms. Link

Hot Flushes

MBSR may be a significant resource in reducing the degree of distress women experiences form hot flushes and night sweats. Link


Health related quality of life

MBSR significantly improves health related quality of life. This includes functional status, well being, reduced physical symptoms and psychological distress. Link

Brain changes

There are observable changes in the brain from MBSR. These include increased grey matter in the hippocampus (which is important for memory) and decreased grey matter in the amygdala (which plays an important role in anxiety and stress). Link

Books on Mindfulness:

Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living, Revised Edition: How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation. London: Piatkus.

Santorelli, S. (1999). Heal Thy Self: Lessons on Mindfulness in Medicine, New York: Bell.

Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2012). Mindfulness-based cognitive
therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse (Second Edition). New
York: Guilford Press.

Williams, Mark, and Danny Penman (2011). Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World. London: Little Brown.


Research Articles:

Coelho, H. F., Canter, P. H., & Ernst, E. (2007). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy:
Evaluating current evidence and informing future research. Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, 75, 1000-1005.

Crane, R. S. (2009). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Distinctive Features. London:
Drefus, H. L. & Drefus, S. E. (1986). Mind Over Machine: The power of human intuition and
experience in the age of computers. New York: Free Press.

Eisendrath SJ, Delucchi K, Bitner R, Fenimore P, Smit M, McLane M.Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy for
treatment resistant depression: a pilot study. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2008;77: 319-320.
Hofman SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA & Oh D. The Effect of Mindfulness Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A meta-analytical Review, Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology 2010; 78:169 - 183.

Kabat-Zinn, J.(2003). Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Context: Past, Present and Future.
Clinical Psychology Science and Practice, 10, 144-156.

Kenny M, Williams M. Treatment -resistant depressed patients show a good response to mindfulness based cognitive therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy 2007; 45:617-625.

Segal, Z. V., Teasdale, J. D., Williams, J. M. G., & Gemar, M. C. (2002a). The mindfulness-
based cognitive therapy adherence scale: Inter-rater reliability, adherence to protocol
and treatment distinctiveness. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 9, 131-138.

Williams, J.M.G., Crane, R.S., Soulsby, J.S. (2007). Aims and Intentions The Mindfulness-
based Curriculum in Practice: Summary outline, intentions and rationale for practices.

Williams, J.M.G. (2008). Mindfulness, Depression and Modes of Mind. Cognitive Therapy
Research, 32, 721-733.

Some informative websites:

More about research on MBCT:  http://www.oxfordmindfulness.org
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         More about research on MBSR:  http://www.openground.com.au                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Centre for Mindfulness: http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm