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Program Overview
History
Research
A Complement to Medical Care
Program Overview
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program helps people who want to learn to use their internal resources to change their relationship to stress and to promote healthy living.
It is also a complement to the medical management of chronic conditions such as pain and/or illness.
Some of the reasons people come to the group include job or family stress, headaches and other physical pain, heart disease, anxiety, panic, sleep disturbance, mild or situational depression, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, fibromyalgia, hypertension, etc.
Mindfulness meditation is the core of the program. Evidence indicates that participants often experience a reduction in physical and psychological symptoms, a greater ability to respond skillfully to challenges in their lives and an increased sense of well-being.
Mindfulness Coverage in Mainstream Media
History
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) began at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 1996. Offered by UI Behavioral Health, it is modeled on the program founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979. MBSR programs are now found in many major medical centers throughout the United States and internationally. The program can be a complement to current medical care as well as promotion of health and well-being.
News coverage of Jon Kabat-Zinn's 2006 visit to the University of Iowa
Research
Research on MBSR indicates that practitioners learn to be active participants in their healthcare and in their lives, becoming better able to respond skillfully to stress, chronic pain and illness, anxiety, fear, anger and depression.
Clinical Research and Peer Reviewed Studies on Mindfulness
A Complement to Medical Care Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can be a complement to current medical care as well as promotion of health and well-being.
- Benefits of the programs include:
- Ability to respond more effectively to short and long-term stress
- Lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms
- Decreased pain levels and better ability to cope with pain that may not go away
- A greater sense of control
- Improved relationships with self and others
- Increased ability to focus and concentrate
- Ability to make choices with greater clarity and awareness
People participate for reasons as diverse as:
- Stress – job, family, financial
- Anxiety and panic
- Chronic pain or illness
- Anger management
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Sleep disruption
- Wellness and health promotion
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