Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Adapted Protocol
Open accessAbstract
Background: The psychological effects of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are tremendous. This pilot mixed-methods randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) adapted protocol on psychological distress among SLE patients. Methods: 26 SLE patients were randomly assigned to MBSR group therapy (n = 15) or a waitlist (WL) group (n = 11). An adapted MBSR protocol for SLE was employed. Three measurements were conducted: pre-intervention, post-intervention and 6-months follow up. A sub-sample (n = 12) also underwent qualitative interviews to assess their subjective experience of MBSR. Results: Compared to the WL, the MBSR group showed greater improvements in quality of life, psychological inflexibility in pain and SLE-related shame. Analysis among MBSR participants showed additional improvements in SLE symptoms and illness perception. Improvements in psychological inflexibility in pain and SLE-related shame remained stable over six months, and depression levels declined steadily from pre-treatment to follow-up. Qualitative analysis showed improvements in mindfulness components (e.g., less impulsivity, higher acceptance), as well as reduced stress following MBSR. Conclusions: These results reveal the significant therapeutic potential of MBSR for SLE patients. With its emphasis on acceptance of negative physical and emotional states, mindfulness practice is a promising treatment option for SLE, which needs to be further applied and studied.
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In a pilot randomized controlled trial, an adapted MBSR protocol for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) led to improved emotional coping and decreased psychological distress.
“In a pilot randomized controlled trial, an adapted MBSR protocol for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) led to improved emotional coping and decreased psychological distress [92].”
From Chronic Stress and Autoimmunity: The Role of HPA Axis and Cortisol Dysregulation (2025) · cites this paper as [92]
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- Authors
- Taub, R., Horesh, D., Rubin, N., Glick, I., Reem, O., Shriqui, G., & Agmon-Levin, N.
- Affiliations
- Bar-Ilan University (IL)
- Sheba Medical Center (IL)
- Psychodharma, 6 George Wise Street, Tel Aviv 6997705, Israel
- Clinical Immunology, Angioedema and Allergy, Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
- Corresponding author
- Taub, Renen
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2021-09-28
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 19
- Pages
- 4450
- ISSN
- 2077-0383 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8509215
- OpenAlex
- W3204451667
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4
- FWCI
- 2.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Keywords
- mindfulness-based stress reduction, systemic lupus erythematosus, psychological distress, quality of life, illness perception, depression, acceptance, group therapy, chronic disease
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