Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction

A bilingual mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program in an inner-city community health center led to statistically significant decreases in medical and psychological symptoms and improvements in self-esteem among English- and Spanish-speaking patients who completed the 8-week program. Many completers reported dramatic changes in attitudes, beliefs, habits, and behaviors. Despite limitations in the research design, the findings suggest that a mindfulness meditation course can be an effective health care intervention for this population. The article also discusses factors to consider when establishing such a program in a health care setting.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article describes a bilingual mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program in an inner-city setting. Mindfulness meditation is defined, and the practices of breathing meditation, eating meditation, walking meditation, and mindful yoga are described. Data analysis examined compliance, medical and psychologic symptom reduction, and changes in self-esteem, of English- and Spanish-speaking patients who completed the 8-week Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program at the Community Health Center in Meriden, Conn. Statistically significant decreases in medical and psychologic symptoms and improvement in self-esteem were found. Many program completers reported dramatic changes in attitudes, beliefs, habits, and behaviors. Despite the limitations of the research design, these findings suggest that a mindfulness meditation course can be an effective health care intervention when utilized by English- and Spanish-speaking patients in an inner-city community health center. The article includes a discussion of factors to be considered when establishing a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program in a health care setting.