Background: Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years.
Material and methods: 144 patients (88% women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5).
Results: 92% of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Improvements were positively correlated with the self-reported amount of mindfulness training. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were in the range of 0.5-0.6 and were highest for mental symptoms and mental function.
Interpretation: The method gives the patients a tool they can use to improve their health and QoL. By increased understanding and ability to deal with ones own health the patients seem to see themselves and their lives in a new way. The method may be suitable for schools and universities in addition to patient education centres.