Woman on meadow, relaxed and in the moment

Study on the effect of mindfulness on stress reduction

Michael de Vibe et al.

August 2013

Anti-Stress & Burnout

The Universities of Tromsø and Oslo conducted research into the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on mental stress in medical and psychology students.

The sample consisted of 288 students. While the control group continued their university courses as usual, the intervention group additionally underwent an MBSR program and submitted self-reports at the beginning of the study and after completion.

A significant reduction in psychological distress was foundin the MBSR group, as well as a small improvement in subjective well-being and the non-responsive aspect of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ).

These results correlated with the number of exercises performed. Only female subjects reported reduced study stress and an increase in the non-judgmental aspect of the FFMQ.

The study showed that female medical and psychology students in particular experienced improvements in mental anxiety, study stress, subjective well-being and mindfulness as a result of an MBSR program.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Stress
Institution: Norwegian Knowledge Center for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway
Title: Study on the effect of mindfulness on stress reduction
Brief description: A study shows that MBSR reduces stress and promotes mindfulness in female medical and psychology students.
Original title: Mindfulness training for stress management: a randomised controlled study of medical and psychology students
Link to the study: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6920-13-107