The “Midlife Study" mindfulness as an intervention to change health behaviors in midlife women.

Abstract

Forty subjects were enrolled in this study at Baseline and thirty-eight were enrolled at Week 16. At Baseline, there were no statistically significant differences between the mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) and the active control health education (HE) groups on any of the demographic, psychosocial or physiologic measures. Attendance was better for the MBSR group than HE and was statistically significant. The purpose of Aim 1 was to determine if a program of MBSR would increase weight loss and reduce BMI. These changes would occur through a program of diet and exercise with increased commitment through being "mindful." In order to determine if there was a treatment effect based on group assignment, a spline linear mixed effects model was tested. The results of this testing found no statistically significant treatment effects on weight or BMI. The purpose of Aim 2 was to determine if a program of MBSR would improve symptoms of psychosocial stress, depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality and increase mindfulness. Another purpose of Aim 2 was to determine if a program of MBSR would result in lower cortisol, fasting glucose, hs-CRP, hip-to-waist ratio, and BP relative to the active control group. A spline linear mixed model was tested to determine if there was a treatment effect based on group assignment on any of the psychosocial measures. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on any of the psychosocial measures. One-way ANOVAs found no statistical significant differences post study based on group assignment on any of the physiologic markers. There was an apparent reduction from Baseline to Week 16 (program end) in both groups in weight, BMI, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and improvements in sleep quality and mindfulness (statistical significance not tested). Several recommendations are made for future research. The program could be tested combining simultaneous engagement in mindfulness (or health education) and the diet and exercise portion. The program was safe and feasible and may be implemented in practice. However, the content and protocol processes need to be refined with data to support their efficacy, and the outcomes be closely evaluated.