Effects of a Body-Based Mindfulness Program on Alexithymia, Dispositional Mindfulness, and Distress Symptoms: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

A body-based mindfulness program reduced distress symptoms (anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms) and alexithymia, and improved dispositional mindfulness (observing, acting with awareness, and non-reacting) among healthy adults. Seventy-three participants (mean age 40.1) were assigned to either the program or a waiting-list control group. Measures taken at baseline and one-week post-test showed improvements even when controlling for baseline scores. The program may help integrate bodily expressions, thoughts, and emotions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mind-body practices have shown to be effective in reducing psychological distress and improving well-being and quality of life in clinical samples and healthy populations. We tested the effects of a body-based mindfulness intervention based on alexithymia, distress symptoms, and dispositional mindfulness among healthy adults. A total of seventy-three participants (mean age 40.1) were assigned to a body-based mindfulness program (i.e., experimental group) and the control group (i.e., waiting list). Distress symptoms were assessed with the Symptoms Questionnaire; alexithymia was measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale; and dispositional mindfulness was assessed with the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire. Measures were completed at baseline and at one-week post-test. Even when controlling for baseline score, the body-based mindfulness program has shown to be effective in reducing distress symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms) and alexithymia, as well as improving dispositional mindfulness (i.e., observing, acting with awareness, and non-reacting). The findings from this study provide evidence that the body-based mindfulness program may help individuals to integrate bodily expressions, thoughts, and emotions, keeping an integrated sense of self.