British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(3), March 2011, pp.137-142.
Publisher:
Sage
This study examined the experiences of mindfulness training for five adults living with rheumatic disease. Specifically it investigated their experiences in terms of coping with pain and the impact on their psychological well being. Focus group data were gathered from participants aged between 46 and 69 years diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. All
This study examined the experiences of mindfulness training for five adults living with rheumatic disease. Specifically it investigated their experiences in terms of coping with pain and the impact on their psychological well being. Focus group data were gathered from participants aged between 46 and 69 years diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. All participants had completed an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme 6 months prior to the study. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed two clinically relevant themes: responding to pain and psychological wellbeing. The participants felt that mindfulness was helpful in relation to pain, activity tolerance and psychological distress. Participants also felt that it had the potential to be integrated into daily life so that the benefits can be maintained over time. A number of limitations to the study are discussed; most notably the use of focus groups. However the authors conclude that mindfulness has the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals living with rheumatic disease.
Subject terms:
mental health, pain, psychotherapy, quality of life, user views, behaviour modification, arthritis, mindfulness;