Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are characterized by a chronic and progressive course with reduced quality of life (QoL). Depressive symptoms are common and persistent in patients with ILD.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a protocol integrating Buddhist meditation with contemporary clinical and psychological practice; MBSR has already proven to reduce negative moods related to chronic symptoms.
Nineteen ILD patients (M=11, mean age ± SD: 65 ± 8 years; 12 affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) were enrolled in a prospective, open-label, observational study evaluating feasibility, safety, and effect on QoL and lung function of a MBSR program. The intervention consisted of 8 weekly group meetings and 45 minutes-long daily home training. Three quarterly group meetings were added in the follow-up. Outcomes included change in Shortness Of Breath Questionnaire (SOB), Cough And Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q), Profile Of Mood State (POMS) test, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), pulmonary function tests and 6-minutes walking test between enrolment, end of intervention and end of 1-year follow-up.
Two patients (10.5%) dropped out early for non-respiratory causes (low back pain and chronic fatigue, respectively). Adherence to the program was 89%. A statistically significant reduction in POMS total score and in the "rage" and "irritability" components of the PSS test was observed (p<0.05). Other questionnaire scores and pulmonary function parameters did not show significant change over time.
These results suggest that a MBSR program is feasible and safe in ILD patients. The observed reduction in negative moods lends support to the design of confirmatory larger controlled trials.
- © 2014 ERS
