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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Nov 13.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2018 Oct 18;20(12):75. doi: 10.1007/s11926-018-0787-4

Table 1.

Description of mindfulness-based interventions and psychotherapies included in this review

Mindfulness intervention Course description
Mindfulness-based stress
reduction
A standardized mindfulness program that involves cultivation of
non-judgmental attention and awareness and develops a sense of
compassion for self and others. Program consists of 7 weekly 2.5-h group
classes, full day silent retreat, and encouragement of daily home practice.
Both formal and informal relaxation techniques are employed included
gentle yoga, body scan, mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation,
guided imagery, recognition of pleasant and unpleasant experience,
attention to bodily symptoms, and interpersonal communication. MBSR
was developed at the University of Massachusetts and is now offered
through many university hospital and community-based practices.
Mindful awareness and acceptance therapy Targets affective disturbances through attention to regulation of negative
emotional responses to stress and encouragement of positive affective
engagement in daily life [19]. The program consists of 8 weekly sessions,
like MBSR, but lacking the yoga component and full day retreat.
Vitality training program Addresses the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and somatic
experiences in 10, 4.5-h group sessions over 15 weeks. Each session
addresses a specific topic related to living with chronic disease including
personal resources, values, anger, joy, sorrow, and interacting with others.
Creative exercises including writing, music, poetry, and drawing are
employed to enhance the learning process.
Internal family systems Teaches patients to attend to and interact with internal experiences mindfully.
Mindfulness aspects include noticing and non-judgmental awareness.
Program is a combination of biweekly then monthly group meetings over
36 weeks and 15 biweekly individual sessions designed to reinforce
concepts and new habits.