Positive Health Online

Abstract

ROTH and CREASER, Stress Reduction Program, Community Health Center, CT, USA describes a bilingual mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction programme within an inner-city setting.

Background

Methodology

Practices defined and described are mindfulness meditation, breathing, eating, walking meditation and mindful yoga . Data analysis studied compliance, medical and psychological symptom reduction and changes in self-esteem of the English and Spanish speaking patients completing the 8-week Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program.

Results

There occurred statistically significant decreases in medical and psychological symptoms and improvement in self-esteem . Many of the programme completers reported dramatic changes in attitudes, beliefs, habits and behaviours.

Conclusion

: Despite the limitations of this research design, these findings suggest that a mindfulness meditation course can be an effective health care intervention within an inner-city community health centre. The article discusses factors to be considered regarding the establishment of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction programme within a health care setting.

References

Roth B and Creaser T. Mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction: experience with a bilingual inner-city program. Nurse Pract 22(3): 150-2, 154, 157. Mar 1997 .

Comment

An extract from the book Full Catastrophe Living, which describes the above programme completely, authoritatively and eloquently, is published in the supplement to Issue 24 of Positive Health (see Positive Health 24(S): 1-2, Dec 1997).