Research Project Abstracts

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Principal Investigator: Diane Reibel, Ph.D (Diane.Reibel@jefferson.edu)
Grant Period: 2004-2005

Context: Psychological distress is linked with impaired glycemic control among diabetics.

Objective: Estimate changes in glycemic control, weight, blood pressure and stress-related psychological symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes participating in a standard Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program.

Design: Prospective, observational.

Setting: Academic Health Center.

Patients: Adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Interventions: Participation in MBSR program for heterogeneous patient population. Diet and exercise regimens held constant.

Main Outcome Measures: Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c (HA1c), blood pressure, body weight, Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (Anxiety, Depression, Somatization, and General Psychological Distress scores).

Results: Eleven of 14 patients completed the intervention. At one month follow up, HA1c was reduced by 0.48% (p=.03), and mean arterial pressure was reduced by 6 mmHg (p=.009). Body weight did not change. A decrease in measures of depression, anxiety and general psychological distress was observed.

Publication: Rosenzweig S, Reibel DK, Greeson JM, Edman JS, Jasser SA, McMearty KD, Goldstein BJ. Mindfulness-based stress reduction is associated with improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 13(5):36-38, Sept-Oct. 2007.