The control group included 162 students who took a course on alternative medicine. In the course, they learned briefly about MBSR but were not taught actual mindfulness techniques.

Villanova University

- 2nd year medical students at one school were given the option to take an MBSR elective seminar course.
- Participants were split into two groups: Students enrolled in the MBSR course (140), and students enrolled in an alternative medicine course (162). Students in the alternative medicine course were considered the control group.
- Profile of Mood States (POMS) Assessment was used to measure the psychological well-being of students in both groups at the beginning and end of the semester.

Effectiveness of an MBSR Elective Course for 2nd Year Medical Students: Method

Rosenzweig, S., Reibel, D. K., Greeson, J. M., Brainard, G. C., & Hojat, M. (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction lowers psychological distress in medical students. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 15(2), 88-92. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328015TLM1502_03

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress in Medical Students 

The MBSR elective course, taken by 140 students, consisted of ten 90-minute weekly sessions. During the sessions, students were taught various mindfulness techniques, listed below. Students were also instructed to practice 20 minutes of formal meditation on their own for six days each week.

- Body scan
- Breath awareness
- Mindful stretching/yoga
- Eating meditation
- Walking meditation
- Guided imagery

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