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Selected Publication:
Gaiswinkler, L.
MINDFULNESS AND SELF COMPASSION IN CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION:
A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Graz Medical University; 2018. pp.
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Holasek Sandra Johanna
- Kapfhammer Hans-Peter
- Unterrainer Human-Friedrich
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction: It has been reported in previous research that Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) has positive effects on mental health. As it was intended to gain initial results in clinical surroundings, a randomized controlled trial was conducted in 200 psychiatric inpatients testing the efficacy of a specially designed 6-weeks MSC program as compared with a control intervention of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). Both sessions lasted 75 minutes and took place once a week. Methods: A change in the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) total score at the end of six weeks was the primary endpoint and secondary endpoints included the summary scores on the physical and mental components of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) and subjective feeling of happiness (single item). Assessments were repeated at 24 weeks. Results: The MSC group (n=114) showed an increased improvement in SCS (p<0.001), as mean (± SD) baseline and six week SCS total for the MSC group were 2.55±0.62 and 2.90±0.51, vs. 2.57±0.54 and 2.57±0.62 for the PMR group. Mean baseline and six-week subjective feeling of happiness for the MSC group was 4.25 ±2.12 and 5.68 ±2.05 vs. 4.30 ±2.08 and 5.53±2.16 for the PMR group (p = 0.013). SF-36 parameters, as well as the GSI improved independently of the study group (p<.001) at week six. At 24 weeks, the higher score of the MSC group concerning SCS remained stable (p<0.001). Discussion: MSC turned out to be a beneficial intervention in clinical surroundings, and merits further investigation.