Improving Psychological Health through Mindfulness: Evaluating an MBSR Intervention for Adults with Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is commonly accompanied by psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, which can impede disease self-management and negatively impact quality of life. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a structured psychosocial intervention, has shown promise in alleviating emotional comorbidities among individuals with chronic diseases. This study assessed the impact of a four-week MBSR program on psychological wellbeing, focusing on depression, anxiety, and stress among adults with diabetes

Methods: A pre-experimental, one-group pre-test post-test design was employed involving 90 adults (≥18 years) with diabetes who had not previously received formal MBSR training. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and ethical clearance as well as informed consent were obtained. The intervention comprised weekly 30-minutes for 4 weeks, instructor-led group MBSR sessions for four weeks, integrating mindfulness meditation, yoga, body scan, and breathing exercises, complemented by daily home practice materials. Psychological outcomes were measured using a modified DASS-21 scale at baseline and after the intervention, alongside demographic and lifestyle data.

Results: High rates of psychological distress were evident at baseline: 68.9% had moderate depression, 68.9% moderate anxiety, and 78.9% moderate stress. After the MBSR intervention, mean depression scores decreased by 22% (from 18.07 to 14.13; t=10.69, p<0.01), anxiety by 33% (from 13.24 to 8.87; t=26.23, p<0.01), and stress by 23% (from 22.73 to 17.6; t=22.09, p<0.01). Significant associations were observed between psychological outcomes and demographic/lifestyle factors such as gender, marital status, duration of diabetes, physical inactivity, inadequate sleep, and mixed dietary habits.

Conclusion: The structured MBSR program resulted in substantial improvements in depression, anxiety, and stress among adults with diabetes. Integrating mindfulness-based interventions within diabetes care frameworks may enhance psychological wellbeing and support better disease management. Adoption of such programs as standard practice may offer scalable, cost-effective strategies for improving holistic health outcomes in diabetes populations.