Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Stress Management Intervention for Healthy Individuals

A review of 17 quantitative studies published between 2009 and 2014 examined whether mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), an 8-week program combining meditation and yoga, is a viable method for managing stress. Of the 17 studies, 16 showed positive changes in psychological or physiological outcomes related to anxiety or stress. Although the evidence is limited by a lack of randomized controlled designs, small sample sizes, and varied outcome measures, MBSR appears to be a promising approach for stress management.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Stress is a global public health problem with several negative health consequences, including anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and suicide. Mindfulness-based stress reduction offers an effective way of reducing stress by combining mindfulness meditation and yoga in an 8-week training program. The purpose of this study was to look at studies from January 2009 to January 2014 and examine whether mindfulness-based stress reduction is a potentially viable method for managing stress. A systematic search from Medline, CINAHL, and Alt HealthWatch databases was conducted for all types of quantitative articles involving mindfulness-based stress reduction. A total of 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of the 17 studies, 16 demonstrated positive changes in psychological or physiological outcomes related to anxiety and/or stress. Despite the limitations of not all studies using randomized controlled design, having smaller sample sizes, and having different outcomes, mindfulness-based stress reduction appears to be a promising modality for stress management.