The Likert-type pain scale was used in order to monitor pain pre and post intervention. The scale ranges from zero being pain not noticeable to ten being the worst pain one has ever felt. The status of mind information was collected using a six-item measurement process that focuses questions and observations on focused attention, productivity, responsible caretaking, restful repose, sensual/non-sexual pleasure, and sharing. The numerical scale for collecting the information was done on a scale from zero being not able to have it to three being able to have it easily.
Stress levels were measured for the month prior to the intervention and post intervention. For this part of the study, a ten-item questionnaire was used. A point’s scale ranging from zero being never to four being felt often was used to assess the responses to the questionnaire. Mindfulness self-efficacy was then measured with the use of fifteen items that measure the participants’ ability to maintain non-judgmental awareness during different situations.
Participants were asked to rate their level of confidence on a scale of zero being no confidence, fifty being moderate confidence, and one hundred being very confident. The measures before mentioned were taken pre intervention and post intervention. Mean score, standard deviation, and correlation coefficients were then computed for all four of the measures taken. The resulting computations indicated that there was a significant reduction in stress scores for the participants. The results also indicated that there was a significant increase in meditation self-efficacy and positive status of mind scores.
There was no real significant reduction in pain and suffering levels post intervention, yet there was no indication of pain and suffering increases either. As was hypothesized, the MBSR program did seem to improve positive status of mind, reduce stress, and maintain non-judgmental awareness throughout different situations. The findings in this study show that people can use meditation as a means of stress control and reduction. The study also shows that, if done properly, meditation can greatly improve a person’s attitude and outlook on things.
These methods can help to reduce negative attitudes, judgmental perceptions, awareness, and stress. Controlling stress is a very effective means of improving many health conditions and having a positive outlook can help to improve quality of living. This study shows that individuals do not need to go to a doctor or a therapist to alleviate the before mentioned issues. These findings give individuals one more tool in improving their health and maintaining positive stress levels without the added expense of healthcare facilities.
With meditation, people can reduce their stress levels and gain more control over their emotions. When an individual has control of their emotions, they can see and understand situations more clearly. This control can lead to structure and the ability to create structure in an individual’s life. The thing about this article that is so interesting to me is the fact that minimizing stress and improving health could be so simple as to meditate. I am a big believer in the negative effects of stress on health and quality of life.
Stress affects every aspect of a person’s life. It can prevent happiness, lower concentration, induce depression, and make its sufferer sick if not alleviated. With the techniques used in meditation and based on the results of this study, I now see that I can improve my awareness levels, view things with a non-judgmental perception, lower stress, and feel better about myself all at the same time. The study that was conducted was designed in a way that was effective, accurate, well structured, and informative.
The methods that were used served the purpose of the study well and were appropriate for reaching an educated conclusion. Prior to conducting the study, the researchers mapped out exactly what they wanted to prove or disprove and came up with constructive measures to collect the data that would be needed to conduct the study in an effective manner. The intervention was well thought out and organized. It served its purpose, as did the measures that were implemented to reach a conclusion. I found this study to provide useful information in reference to health and stress.
The article and the study that was conducted shows people a new outlet for stress and many other issues that affect an individual’s quality of life. The medical field is centered on improving a patient’s quality of life and any method that does this, in my opinion, would be an appropriate method to study. I felt that the study indicated that the theory is valid and worth further research. If this method were to be tested in a clinical atmosphere it may actually be found to be a constructive method of treatment for many emotional illnesses and could be a very useful tool in treating nerve related anxieties.
This study lead me to ask myself if it may be possible to, instead of prescribing so many nerve pills, treat some cases with some variation of this method. At the very least, maybe a lower dosage coupled with some form of this treatment could be possible. Another question I asked myself was, if this form of treatment could be accepted in the medical community, would it possible aid in reducing the amount of people that attend therapy. In conclusion, I think that this study was conducted in an appropriate manner.
It proved that stress could be controlled through meditation, thus possibly increasing the quality of life and health in those that practice this form of treatment. The researchers developed an appropriate hypothesis and designed an appropriate intervention to test their hypothesis. They mapped out every detail and did not deviate from their plans. In doing this, they remained on track and preformed an effective and informative study of the MBSR program. The information was presented in a constructive and easy to follow manner and, more importantly, it made me consider different alternatives in treating ailments caused by stress.