The effect of group mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the severity of fibromyalgia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group administered form of mindfulness-based stress reduction program for fibromyalgia severity. In a quasi-experimental design، a randomized controlled trial with baseline، post treatment، and follow-up assessments along with control group was conducted. Twenty-five patients with fibromyalgia by convenience sampling selected from patients attending Parsian Hospital in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 13; under administration of mindfulness-based stress reduction program in 8 group sessions once a week) or control group (n = 12). All participants completed a questionnaire requesting demographic information and the Combined Index of Severity of Fibromyalgia (ICAF) in three phases of baseline، post treatment and follow-up. Results of analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated that the patients receiving the mindfulness-based stress reduction program reported less severity of fibromyalgia and overall better functioning than control group patients in post treatment (3 months after the baseline assessment) and follow-up (9 months after the baseline assessment) periods. According to the results، group mindfulness-based stress reduction program is an effective method in decreasing the severity of fibromyalgia. Implications for further research and possible clinical applications are discussed.