Mindfulness to manage child abuse survivors
The results warrant further investigation, according to researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in Baltimore.
First, the details.
- 27 adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse participated in an 8-week mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program and daily home practice of mindfulness skills.
- 3 refresher classes were then provided over the final 24 weeks.
- Assessments of depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and mindfulness were conducted at the start, 4, 8, and 24 weeks.
And, the results.
- At 8 weeks, depressive symptoms were reduced 65%.
- Improvements were largely sustained to 24 weeks.
- Of the 3 post-traumatic stress disorder symptom criteria, avoidance/numbing were most greatly reduced.
- Compliance to class attendance and home practice was high, safe, and acceptable to participants.
The bottom line?
Mindfulness has been described as a process of bringing a certain quality of attention to an ongoing experience. Learning to experience life fully as it unfolds — moment by moment.
A leader in this field is Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, in Boston. You can learn more about him and mindfulness here and here.
3/19/10 15:06 JR