Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology. 2012;
1(3):(30-345)
Mindfulness-based stress reduction improves distress in two different chronic illnesses
Kristin A Zernicke, Linette Lawlor-Savage,Joshua Lounsberry, Lihong Zhong, Philip K Blustein, Tavis S Campbell, Linda E Carlson
Abstract
Background: Distress is well recognized as endemic in cancer populations: less is known about
distress in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Purpose: This study compared distress between
individuals with IBS (n=51) and those with cancer (n=147) participating in Mindfulness-Based
Stress Reduction (MBSR). Methods: Patients completed mood and symptoms of stress
questionnaires pre- and post- MBSR intervention as well as at 6-month follow-up. Results:
The IBS group demonstrated higher baseline total symptoms of stress and more muscle
tension, sympathetic nervous system arousal, and neurological/GI symptoms. They also had
higher baseline tension/anxiety scores on the mood measure. While both groups decreased
significantly post-MBSR on total stress symptoms and mood disturbance scores, the IBS group
showed a small increase in stress symptoms between post-program and 6-month follow-up.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the high levels of distress associated with IBS, and
support evidence that MBSR may be beneficial in reducing both IBS and cancer related
distress.
