Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Populations Across the Lifespan

The development and application of mindfulness-based interventions throughout healthcare has grown exponentially in the past decade (Didonna, 2009). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was the first intervention to be... [ view full abstract ]

The development and application of mindfulness-based interventions throughout healthcare has grown exponentially in the past decade (Didonna, 2009). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was the first intervention to be developed and it has been successfully replicated around the world over the past three decades. MBSR has been shown to decrease pain, reduce stress and anxiety, promote healing in psoriasis, improve health in cancer, and alleviate depression, just to name a few. (Baer,2007). Mindfulness-based Elder Care has been successfully implemented in residential facilities for frail elderly and their caregivers. (McBee, 2008). Mindfulness-based Chronic Pain Management is a 13 week program that has been implemented in both a face to face and a distance format to teach patients the skills they need to effectively manage their chronic pain conditions. (Gardner-Nix, 2009) Participants are taught mindfulness skills as well as taught how emotions and thoughts affect physical symptoms, and they learn ways to manage the depression and anxiety that often occur co-morbidly with chronic pain. There are a number of mindfulness-based interventions that have been developed for diabetes which is reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. Depression, another chronic disease condition that affects millions of people world-wide, is targeted in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Numerous mindfulness-based interventions have been developed for children and teens and the evidence supporting their use is growing exponentially. Occupational therapists can benefit from learning about these interventions; not only will their patients/clients benefit, but health care professionals who regularly practice mindfulness report increased ability to manage stress levels.