Published Studies

Mindfulness for Health

FULL MINDFULNESS-TEACHER TRAINING PATHWAY AND COURSES ON PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES: WHY IT MAY ALL BE WORTH IT

Agostinis, Bond, Morris, Rosser, Barrow and Taylor (2022)
Source: British Pain Society Pain News, Vol 20, Issue 2

A team from Jersey Pain Clinic and Liverpool John Moores University published an analysis of service data from 239 pain patients who had participated in the Breathworks Mindfulness for Health course.

Based on patients’ self-reported changes at the end of the course, compared with the start, the researchers found:

41% of participants reported a 30%+ reduction in pain intensity, with 28% reporting a 50%+ improvement
57% of participants reported a 30%+ reduction in pain interference, with 40% reporting a 50%+ improvement
70% of participants reported a 30%+ improvement in resilience, with 41% reporting a 50%+ improvement.
3% or less percent reporting significant deterioration across any of the above domains.

An analysis of statistically reliable and clinically significant changes found improvements across domains including: pain intensity, interference, depression, catastrophizing, self-efficacy, as well as wellbeing (WHO 5 health domains) and self-compassion.

The team reported good retention and completion (84%) with minimal side effects, with the course highly valued by clients and clinicians, and further reported an 82% reduction in treatment cost per patient compared to existing 1:1 support.

Download the full article here.

MINDFULNESS-BASED PAIN MANAGEMENT (MBPM) FOR CHRONIC PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Pérez-Fernández, Salaberria & Ocenda (2022)

Ninety patients with chronic pain, recruited via the Hospital Vithas of Vitoria in Spain, were randomized to the Breathworks MBPM course (50 patients) and wait-list control (40 patients). Patients were assessed pre- and post-treatment. Findings showed moderate to large effects in favour of the MBPM group in pain management and acceptance, use of analgesics, psychopathological symptoms, general negative thoughts, self-blame, mental-health-related quality of life, and resilience.

The authors concluded that MBPM can be an efficacious treatment for chronic pain patients, and could be usefully provided alongside other treatments such as CBT.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE BREATHWORKS MBPM PROGRAMME FOR THE CHRONIC PAIN POPULATION: TREATMENT OUTCOMES OVER A 12-MONTH PERIOD.

Phillips, Duff and Burch (2021)

This study evaluated the impact of participation in the Breathworks’ Mindfulness for Health course on pain experience, quality of life, functionality, and changes in medication and health resource usage in people with chronic pain.
Statistically significant improvements were found across all measures at post course and 3 months, with most measures showing sustained improvement at 12-months.

Initial findings suggest that the course may be useful in reducing healthcare service and medication use, with 50% of participants reporting reductions in medication use at 3-month follow-up. This is supported by clinically significant long-term improvements for pain self-efficacy and pain catastrophising, which have been correlated with reductions in healthcare service and medication use in the wider literature.

Research Poster PDF

MINDFULNESS Y CÁNCER: APLICACIÓN DEL PROGRAMA MBPM DE" RESPIRA VIDA BREATWORKS" EN PACIENTES ONCOLÓGICOS.

TRANSLATION: MINDFULNESS AND CANCER: APPLICATION OF THE BREATHWORKS ‘LIVING WELL WITH PAIN’ MINDFULNESS-BASED PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME.

Llácer & Ramos-Campos (2018)

This study assessed self-reported changes in oncological patients following participation in the Mindfulness for Health course. The authors found significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, psychological wellbeing, satisfaction with life, vitality, and pain intensity. The authors concluded that participation in the Mindfulness for Health course led to improved psychological adjustment of oncological patients.

EFFECTIVENESS OF A MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN NURSING WORKERS

Lopes et al. (2018)

64 female nurses with musculoskeletal pain took part in an adapted Mindfulness for Health programme. There were significant pre- to-post course improvements for musculoskeletal symptoms, anxiety, depression, pain catastrophising, self-compassion and quality of life. These changes were still evident in the 20-week follow-up period.

A LITERATURE REVIEW OF BREATHWORKS AND MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION

Mehan & Morris (2018)

Note from the author:

"The aim of this paper was to achieve a critical review of the literature to date concerning mindfulness interventions. Me and Julia (the paper’s other author) wanted to provide a holistic picture of review in this field and were surprised by the general failure to utilise the internal evaluations and external studies using the Breathworks mindfulness programmes.

We sought to fill this gap in the literature and the result was this paper, which highlights the importance of high-quality methodology in research studies within mindfulness and that the full programme must be employed for maximal effectiveness from the intervention. Studies that extracted a single practice, such as the body scan or self-compassion practices, found positive changes but to a smaller effect.

If you wish to ask any questions regarding the paper or just want to discuss it further, please do not hesitate and feel free to email me on [email protected]."

SELF-SELECTION ALL THE WAY: IMPROVING PATIENTS’ PAIN EXPERIENCE AND OUTCOMES ON A PILOT BREATHWORKS MINDFULNESS FOR HEALTH PROGRAMME

Agostinis, Barrow, Taylor & Gray (2017)

This study investigated the changes in pain experience and quality of life in chronic pain patients following participation in the Mindfulness for Health course. Data was analysed between three direct selection (DS) and three self-selection (SS) groups. Outcomes for the overall sampled showed an improvement in standardised measures. Improvements in quality of life and mindfulness were also reported, as well as positive written and verbal feedback. Groups with a preliminary taster and engagement session, showed greater improvement, within a wider number of measures and better treatment retention.

Research Poster - British Pain Society 2017.pdf

STARTING WHERE I AM: A GROUNDED THEORY EXPLORATION OF MINDFULNESS AS A FACILITATOR OF TRANSITION IN LIVING WITH A LONG-TERM CONDITION

Long et al. (2016)

This interview study explored how people (N=41) used mindfulness in the longer term (up to 9 years post-course) and how this affected their experience of living with a long-term health condition. Themes included Getting a New Perspective, Feeling Equipped to Cope, Doing Life Differently, Seeing a Change, and Finding it Difficult. Overall, it was found that mindfulness practice had a significant benefit on the wellbeing of most of the participants, with the effects lasting for up to 9 years after attending the course.

For more information, please download this four page PDF summary by the author here.

EXPERIENCING WELLNESS WITHIN ILLNESS: EXPLORING A MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACH TO CHRONIC BACK PAIN

Doran (2014)

This study was conducted on 16 volunteers attending the Mindfulness for Health programme to gather information on their personal experience of living with persistent back pain. Data was collected through observations and semi-structured interviews which were conducted at 6 months after completion of the course. Interviews were also repeated for 5 participants at 1 year after completion of the course.Several recurring themes emerged from the analysis including; Unpacking the Experience; Changing Relationship to Pain; Letting Go of the Label; Self-compassion and Acceptance; and Wellness Within Illness.

For more information on this project please download:

- A poster presentation (PDF download) from the Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Pain Society 2009

Powerpoint Presentation summary of a subset of the results (powerpoint download)

PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH IN PATIENTS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AFTER A MINDFULNESS-BASED PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Brown & Jones (2013)

This study was a randomised controlled trial using EEG methodology. The author noted:“The Breathworks programme improved the mental well-being of patients and their sense of being able to control their pain symptoms. These improvements were related to changes in patterns of activity in brain regions involved with cognitive control and emotional regulation.”

EVALUATION OF THE BREATHWORKS MINDFULNESS-BASED PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME: EFFECTS OF WELL-BEING AND MULTIPLE MEASURES OF MINDFULNESS

Cusens et al. (2010)

This randomised controlled trial showed significant improvements in self-reported depression, outlook, pain catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and pain acceptance for those participating in a Mindfulness for Health course compared to a treatment as usual control group, with particularly large effects for pain acceptance. Furthermore, the intervention group showed greater levels of self-reported mindfulness (MAAS) and greater increases in awareness of positive stimuli as measured by an Implicit Association Task (IAT).

Mindfulness for Stress

EVALUATION OF BREATHWORKS’ MINDFULNESS FOR STRESS 8‐WEEK COURSE: EFFECTS ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS, AFFECTS, SELF‐COMPASSION, AND MINDFULNESS FACETS IN BRAZILIAN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Pizutti et al. (2019)

Healthcare professionals working in Brazil were allocated into three groups; one received no intervention and instead were put on the waiting list (WL), one group received relaxation training such as deep breathing exercises (AC) and the
final group received the Mindfulness for Stress course (MfS). Participants filled out questionnaires before and after the intervention, and it was found that both those in the AC and MfS group made significant reductions in depressive symptoms, psychiatric symptoms, and negative affect (emotion), however these changes were greater in the MfS. Furthermore, only those in the MfS group experienced significantly higher levels of self-compassion and thought in less reactive and more mindful way. The authors noted the latter findings in particular support the Breathworks MfS programme aim to "foster a sense of compassion and equanimity in participants, bringing kindness as the main component of all meditations and practices, like the body scan, the breath awareness, and the mindful movements."

Pictured above: Bar graph presents depression scores before and after three interventions. The graph demonstrates that participants in the Mindfulness for Stress group had the greatest reductions in depression symptoms.

TWO-WEEK WEB-BASED MINDFULNESS TRAINING REDUCES STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SELF-REPORTED STRESS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Vesa et al. (2016)

This study examined the effects of a short-term web-based mindfulness program - the Breathworks/MFC Online Mindfulness Taster Course. 70 participants with severe stress were randomly assigned to a group taking the course and a control group. Pre and post questionnaire measures showed that mindfulness training increased mindfulness skills and reduced levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, with no such changes observed in the control group. Analysis suggested these changed were due to the changes in mindfulness scores, suggesting it was the mindfulness training specifically that resulted in the observed improvements rather than external factors.

MINDFULNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION FOR FOUNDATION YEAR DOCTORS: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Cotzias & Panagioti (2019)

This pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility of a 6-week Breathworks Mindfulness in the Workplace course for foundation year doctors, and to see whether there were indications of reduced stress and burnout, to suggest whether a larger controlled study should be carried out. As one might expect from the hectic profession, only 35% of the 20 participants were able to attend the full number of sessions, however initial outcomes were very promising, including significantly lower reported stress following completion of the course. Furthermore, through open-ended responses participants mentioned further benefits including feeling more mindful, greater wellbeing, a positive impact on working life and improved relations with patients.

EVALUATION OF BREATHWORKS’ MINDFULNESS FOR STRESS 8‐WEEK COURSE: EFFECTS ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS, AFFECTS, SELF‐COMPASSION, AND MINDFULNESS FACETS IN BRAZILIAN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Pizutti et al. (2019)

This study aimed to see whether the Breathworks 8-week Mindfulness for Stress course was effective in reducing depression and psychiatric symptoms in primary healthcare professionals (e.g. nurse, doctor, dentist…) working in Brazil. This was a particularly important group of individuals to study given healthcare professionals are unfortunately prone to high levels of stress and burnout.

The study allocated individuals to three groups; one received no intervention and instead were put on the waiting list (WL), one group received relaxation training such as deep breathing exercises (AC) and the final group received the Mindfulness for Stress course (MfS). Participants filled out questionnaires before and after the intervention, and it was found that both those in the AC and MfS group made significant reductions in depressive symptoms, psychiatric symptoms and negative affect (emotion), however these changes were greater in the MfS. Furthermore, only those in the MfS group experienced significantly higher levels of self-compassion and thought in less reactive and more mindful way. The authors noted the latter findings in particular support the Breathworks MfS programme aim to “foster a sense of compassion and equanimity in participants, bringing kindness as the main component of all meditations and practices, like the body scan, the breath awareness, and the mindful movements.”

ONLINE COURSES

INTERNET-DELIVERED MINDFULNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION AND CHRONIC PAIN FOLLOWING SPINAL CORD INJURY: A RANDOMISED, CONTROLLED FEASIBILITY TRIAL

Hearn & Finlay (2018)

67 participants were randomly assigned to either receive the internet-delivered 8-week Mindfulness for Health course or 8-weeks of internet-delivered psychoeducation. In comparison to the psycho-education group,those participating in the Mindfulness for Health course experienced significantly decreased depression, anxiety, pain catastrophising and pain unpleasantness on completion of the course. In addition, self-reported increases in mindfulness were significantly greater in the Mindfulness for Health group compared to the psychoeducation group. Reductions made by the Mindfulness for Health group in depression, pain catastrophising and
anxiety were sustained at 3 months post-intervention.

EFFECTS OF EIGHT-WEEK-WEB-BASED MINDFULNESS TRAINING ON PAIN INTENSITY, PAIN ACCEPTANCE, AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC PAIN

Henriksson et al. (2016)

In this study, 107 participants with chronic pain were randomly divided into two groups; either participating in the online version of the Breathworks Mindfulness for Health course or they were assigned to a control group who participated in an online forum discussing pain-related topics. The study found that those on the online Mindfulness for Health Course displayed significantly better mindfulness skills, reduced pain intensity, reduced suffering and interference from their pain, greater acceptance towards their pain, reduced emotional distress and greater satisfaction with life than those allocated to the online forum.

TWO-WEEK WEB-BASED MINDFULNESS TRAINING REDUCES STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SELF-REPORTED STRESS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Vesa et al. (2016)

This study examined the effects of a short-term web-based mindfulness program - the Breathworks/MFC Online Mindfulness Taster Course. 70 participants with severe stress were randomly assigned to a group taking the course and a control group. Pre and post questionnaire measures showed that mindfulness training increased mindfulness skills and reduced levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, with no such changes observed in the control group. Analysis suggested these changed were due to the changes in mindfulness scores, suggesting it was the mindfulness training specifically that resulted in the observed improvements rather than external factors.