Medical students who chose a 10-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) seminar reported lower total mood disturbance after the program compared to students who attended a didactic seminar on complementary medicine. The MBSR group started with higher mood disturbance (38.7 vs. 28.0) but ended with lower scores (31.8 vs. 38.6). Improvements were also seen in tension-anxiety, confusion-bewilderment, fatigue-inertia, and vigor-activity. MBSR may be an effective way to help medical students manage stress.
A curriculum component helped 64 postbaccalaureate minority students regularly practice deep breathing meditation over two academic years. Students reported decreased test anxiety, nervousness, self-doubt, and concentration loss, used the technique outside of class, and believed it helped them academically and would help them as physicians. The technique was successfully implemented each year, offering a promising solution for meeting challenging academic and professional situations.