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NREPP SAMHSA'S National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
IMPORTANT LEGACY NOTICE: Legacy Programs have not been reviewed by the current National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). The programs in this database were reviewed only under the previous National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs system. This section is intended to be used for historical reference only. If you would like more information about a program listed here, please contact the program developer directly. The program developer of each Legacy Program listed here agreed to post program information on this site.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR)

Brief Program Description

MBSR is a comprehensive, individualized program for adults suffering from stress. MBSR is guided by an underlying theoretical framework that addresses the cognitive and somatic dimensions of stress. The intervention involves 28 hours of group learning over an 8-week period. The program is designed to help individuals gain greater insight into their perceptions, reactions, and behaviors in life situations. By practicing mindfulness techniques, participants learn to cultivate nonjudgmental, moment-to-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.

MBSR participants learn and practice six mindfulness techniques and their application to daily life, including four methods of meditation, the body scan, and gentle yoga postures. They are given the book Full Catastrophe Living, two practice tapes, and class handouts and are asked to log self-observations, read chapters from the book, and practice mindfulness techniques once per day. In addition, participants are asked to develop a strategic plan using an Action Planning Workbook to make improvements in an area where their scores fall in the strain range on the Stress Map Inventory.

Suitable for implementation in university health settings and clinics, the program has been shown to significantly reduce perceived stress, psychological distress, and medical symptoms relative to control groups. These positive outcomes were seen at the conclusion of treatment and at 3-month follow-up.

Contact Information

For indepth information on this program, please use the contact listed below.

Program Developer

Kimberly Williams
West Virginia University
P.O. BOX 9190
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: (304) 293-7559
Email: kwilliams@hsc.wvu.edu
Website: www.innerlifeyoga.com

In October 2004, this program was designated as a Promising Program under SAMHSA's previous National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs system.