Brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Women With Myocardial Infarction: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to test the effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (MBCT-Brief) on stress levels among women with myocardial infarction (MI).
Results Summary
MBCT-Brief was associated with greater reductions in stress compared to heart disease education, particularly among adherent participants. More frequent mindfulness practice correlated with greater improvements in stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety, though no significant differences were found in secondary outcomes.
Population
Women with elevated stress (PSS-4 ≥6) at least 2 months post-MI, recruited from 12 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada and via community advertising.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (intervention was 8 weeks long, with ≥4 sessions considered adherent).
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based intervention (MBCT-Brief) | decrease | PSS-10 scores (stress) | women with MI | -0.52 [95% CI: -0.77 to -0.28] | declined | #1 |
heart disease education | no change | PSS-10 scores (stress) | women with MI | -0.19 [95% CI: -0.45 to 0.06] | not declined | #2 |
MBCT-Brief | decrease | stress | adherent participants (completed ≥4 intervention sessions) | - | was associated with greater reductions | #3 |
MBCT-Brief | no change | secondary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, disease-specific health status, actigraphy-assessed sleep) | women with MI | - | no significant differences | #4 |
more frequent mindfulness practice | decrease | stress | participants in the MBCT-Brief arm | - | was associated with greater reductions | #5 |
more frequent mindfulness practice | decrease | depressive symptoms | participants in the MBCT-Brief arm | - | was associated with greater reductions | #6 |
more frequent mindfulness practice | decrease | anxiety | participants in the MBCT-Brief arm | - | was associated with greater reductions | #7 |
BACKGROUND: Elevated perceived stress is associated with adverse outcomes following myocardial infarction (MI) and may account for poorer recovery among women vs men. OBJECTIVES: This randomized controlled trial tested effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress levels among women with MI. METHODS: Women with elevated stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-4]≥6) at least 2 months after MI were enrolled from 12 hospitals in the United States and Canada and via community advertising. Participants were randomized to a remotely delivered mindfulness intervention (MBCT-Brief) or heart disease education, both 8 weeks long. Follow-up was 6 months. Changes in stress (PSS-10; primary outcome) and secondary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, disease-specific health status, actigraphy-assessed sleep) were compared between groups. RESULTS: The sample included 130 women with MI (mean age 59.8 ± 12.8 years, 34% racial/ethnic minorities). In intention-to-treat analysis, PSS-10 scores declined in the MBCT-Brief arm (-0.52 [95% CI: -0.77 to -0.28]) but not the heart disease education arm (-0.19 [95% CI: -0.45 to 0.06]; group×time interaction P = 0.070). The effect was stronger in per-protocol analysis of participants who completed ≥4 intervention sessions (P = 0.049). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes in intention-to-treat or per-protocol analyses. Within the MBCT-Brief arm, more frequent mindfulness practice was associated with greater reductions in stress (P = 0.007), depressive symptoms (P = 0.017), and anxiety (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: MBCT-Brief was associated with greater 6-month reductions in stress than an active control among adherent participants. More frequent mindfulness practice was associated with greater improvements in psychological outcomes. Strategies to engage women with MI in mindfulness training and support regular home practice may enhance these effects.