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Mindfulness in informal caregivers of palliative patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2013

Monika Kögler ,
Monika Brandstätter ,
Gian Domenico Borasio ,
Veronika Fensterer ,
Helmut Küchenhoff  and
Martin Johannes Fegg
Monika Kögler
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
Monika Brandstätter
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
Gian Domenico Borasio
Affiliation:
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Service de Soins Palliatifs, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Veronika Fensterer
Affiliation:
Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
Helmut Küchenhoff
Affiliation:
Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
Martin Johannes Fegg*
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Martin Fegg, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. E-mail: martin@fegg.de
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Abstract

Objectives:

Mindfulness is a concept of growing impact on psychotherapy and has been shown to be effective for stress reduction and to improve psychological well-being. Existential Behavioural Therapy (EBT) was developed to support relatives of palliative care (PC) patients to cope with their situation during caregiving and bereavement. Mindfulness training was a core element of the intervention.

We investigated the relationship between mindfulness, mental distress, and psychological well-being in informal caregivers, and evaluated if the effects of the intervention were mediated by mindfulness.

Methods:

Relatives of PC inpatients took part in a randomized-controlled EBT trial and completed the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, items from the Five Facets of Mindfulness as well as the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF, a numerical rating scale on quality of life (range 0–10), and the Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation at pre- and post-intervention, and a 3- and 12-months follow-up.

Results:

One-hundred-and-thirty carers were included, most of them (71.6%) recently being bereaved at the beginning of the intervention. High correlations between mindfulness and mental distress (r = −0.51, p < 0.001) as well as life satisfaction (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) were found. Mindfulness was a significant predictor of improvement in psychological distress, meaning in life and quality of life three months after the intervention. The EBT effects were partly mediated by mindfulness.

Significance of results:

Mindfulness seems to be a promising concept in supporting informal caregivers of PC patients. Further research is needed to identify the required format and intensity of mindfulness practice necessary for improvement.

Keywords

RelativesPalliative careMindfulnessMeditationPsychotherapy
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , February 2015 , pp. 11 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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