Recent research projects suggest shorter mindfulness-based stress reduction MBSR programs (educational therapy programs that promote mindfulness to help reduce stress over a fewer amount of weeks and days) can be just as effective as the established 8-week MBSR program. 


Short-term Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Therapeutic Interventions that use Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Techniques

- Short-term mindfulness-based stress reduction
- Therapeutic interventions that use mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques

Villanova University

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an educational therapy program with the goal of teaching individuals both formal and informal/everyday mindfulness techniques to help reduce psychological distress.

Standard MBSR programs are 8-weeks in duration consisting of 26 hours with a 6-hour one day class (total of 32 hours). Participants are also expected to practice 45 minutes per day at home during the program.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Although mindfulness interventions are commonly thought of as a treatment solely for mental and psychological illness, various mindfulness interventions have been used in physical rehabilitation.

Mindfulness in Physical Rehabilitation 

- Medical students
- Patients with eating disorders
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients
- Trauma-exposed women
- Post-treatment breast cancer patients 
- LGBTQIA+ Individuals
- Patients with depression and anxiety

Populations that May Benefit from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

- Decreases overall psychological distress
- Can help improve emotional regulation through attentional deployment

Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Variations of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Mindfulness-based stress reduction interventions can be incorporated into multiple different settings. These include:

- University elective courses
- Physical Therapy 

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Intervention Settings

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) interventions have multiple physiological effects including the following:
- Morphometric changes in brain regions
- Increased connection between the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) 

Neurological Effects Resulting From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Somatic:

- Improved Immune Response

- Improvement in Conditions Worsened by Stress

Neurological:

- Improved functioning of the amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex

- Increased gray matter in the right anterior insula

- Increased left-sided anterior activation

- Increased connection between the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC)

Physical Effects Resulting From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

There are many online services and apps that are available that allow people to practice Mindfulness Interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) from one’s own device. The ease of accessibility, lower cost, and convenience of these services are some of the pros of online MBI practices over face-to-face MBIs. 

Mindfulness Apps and Online Services

Exercises in MBSR, such as sitting meditation and the body scan, can give African American women (who are often consumed by caring for the needs of others) a restorative and imperative time-out to quiet the mind and restore balance.

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