Mindfulness-based stress reduction in patients with interstitial lung disease: A pilot study

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 (pl0.05). 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.