Table 1. Randomized controlled trials of MBSR.
| Study | N | Type Participant | Mean Age | % Male | No. of Treatment Sessions | Control Group(s) | Main Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astin, 1997 | 28 | College undergrads | NR | 5 | 8 2-hr sessions | NI (14) | MBSR > NI: reductions in psychological symptoms, increases in domain-specific sense of control & spiritual experiences |
| Shapiro et al., 1998 | 78 | Medical & premedical students | NR | 44 | 7 2.5-hr sessions | WL (41) | MBSR > WL: reductions in state and trait anxiety, overall distress, & depression, increases in empathy & spiritual experiences |
| Speca et al., 2000 | 90 | Cancer patients | 51 | 19 | 7 1.5-hr sessions | WL (37) | MBSR > WL: reductions in mood disturbance & symptoms of stress |
| Williams et al., 2001 | 103 | Community adults | 43 | 28 | 8 2.5-hr sessions, 1 8-hr session | Received educational materials and referral to community resources (44) | MBSR > Control Group: reductions in daily hassles, distress, & medical symptoms |
| Weissbecker et al., 2002 | 91 | Fibromyalgia patients | 48 | 0 | 8 2.5-hr sessions | WL (40) | MBSR > WL: increase in disposition to experience life as manageable and meaningful |
| Davidson et al., 2003 | 41 | Corporate employees | 36 | 29 | 8 2.5-hr sessions, 1 7-hr session | WL (16) | MBSR > WL: increased left-sided anterior activation & antibody titer responses to influenza vaccine, reduction in anxiety |
| Shapiro et al., 2005 | 38 | Health care professionals | NR | NR | 8 2-hr sessions | WL (20) | MBSR > WL: reductions in perceived stress & burnout, increases in self compassion & satisfaction with life |
| Koszycki et al., 2007 | 53 | Generalized social anxiety disorder patients | NR | NR | 8 2.5-hr sessions, 1 7.5-hr session | CBGT (27) | MBSR = CBGT: improvements in mood, functionality, & quality of life; MBSR < CGBT: reductions in social anxiety & response and remission rates |
| Sephton et al., 2007 | 91 | Fibromyalgia patients | 48 | 0 | 8 2.5-hr sessions, 1 day-long session | WL (40) | MBSR > WL: reductions in depressive symptoms |
| Farb et al., 2007 | 36 | Community adults | 44 | 25 | 8 2-hr sessions | WL (16) | MBSR > WL: reduced activation of mPFC; increased activation of lPFC & several viscerosomatic areas when engaging in mindfulness exercises |
| Jain et al., 2007 | 81 | Students | 25 | 19 | 4 1.5 hr-sessions | SR (24), NI (30) | MBSR (a shortened program) = SR > NI: reductions in distress & increase in positive mood states; MBSR > NI: reductions in rumination & distraction |
| Anderson et al., 2007 | 72 | Community adults | NR | NR | 8 2-hr sessions | WL (33) | MBSR = WL: performance on attentional tasks; Tx > WL: increases in mindfulness & positive affect; reductions in depression, anxiety symptoms, & general and anger-related rumination |
| Oman et al., 2008 | 44 | College undergrads | 18 | 20 | 8 1.5-hr sessions | EPP (14), WL (15) | MBSR = EPP > WL: reductions in perceived stress & rumination, increase in forgiveness |
| Nyklíček, & Kuijpers, 2008 | 60 | Community adults with symptoms of stress | 44 | 33 | 8 2.5-hr sessions, 1 6-hr session | WL (30) | MBSR > WL: reductions in perceived stress & vital exhaustion, increases in positive affect & mindfulness |
| Shapiro et al., 2008* | 44 | College undergrads | 18 | 20 | 8 1.5-hr sessions | EPP (14), WL (15) | MBSR = EPP > WL: increase in mindfulness |
| Branstrom, Kvillemo, Brandberg, & Moskowitz, 2010 | 71 | Cancer patients | 52 | 1 | 8 2-hr sessions | WL (39) | MBSR > WL: reductions in perceived stress & posttraumatic avoidance symptoms, increase in positive states of mind |
| Farb et al., 2010 | 36 | Community adults | 44 | 25 | 8 2-hr sessions | WL (16) | MBSR > WL: reduced activation in medial and lateral brain regions, reduced deactivation in insula and other visceral and somasensory areas |
| Grossman et al., 2010 | 150 | Patients with multiple sclerosis | 47 | 21 | 8 2.5-hr sessions, 1 7-hr session | UC (74) | MBSR > UC: increases in health-related quality of life, reductions in fatigue & depression |
*
Notes. = findings reported are drawn from the sample recruited in Oman et al., 2008.
NR = Not Reported; NI = No Intervention; WL = Wait-list; SR = Somatic Relaxation; CBGT = Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy; mPFC = medial prefrontal cortex; lPFC = lateral prefrontal cortex; UC = Usual Care.