A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Reducing Perceived Stress in Women Impacted by Large-Scale Disasters (RCT)

Hasan Kalyoncu University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Mindfulness, Woman, Stress, Disaster

Treatments: Behavioral: MBSRP

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07283601

Muş Alparslan Universty (Other Identifier)

Disaster

Details and patient eligibility

About

Hypothesis:

Women affected by large-scale disasters who participate in an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program will experience significantly lower perceived stress levels compared to those in the control group without intervention.

Full description

Objective: This study aims to describe the effect of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSRP) administered in relation to post-disaster stress.

Material and Method: The present study was carried out by using a quasi-experimental design with 35 participants in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. Personal Information Form, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were employed in the data collection process. The women in the intervention group underwent an 8-week Mindfulness Stress Reduction Program. Data were collected through pretests and posttests.

Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Independent samples t-test and dependent samples t-test were utilized for the control and intervention groups. The relationship between continuous variables was analyzed by using Pearson Correlation analysis.

Enrollment: 70 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Female participants aged 18-65 years. Have been directly affected by a large-scale disaster (e.g., earthquake, flood, fire, or similar event) within the past 12-24 months.

Report moderate or high perceived stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-10] score ≥ 14).

Able to attend weekly MBSR sessions for 8 consecutive weeks. Willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe major depression).

Ongoing psychotherapy or psychopharmacological treatment for stress, anxiety, or depression at the time of enrollment.

Prior participation in any mindfulness or meditation-based program within the last 6 months.

Presence of a serious medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease) that could interfere with participation.

Pregnancy or postpartum period (<6 months), if it affects stress levels or participation.

Inability to understand study instructions or complete questionnaires in Turkish.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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70 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the experimental group will receive an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program designed to reduce perceived stress and enhance emotional resilience. The intervention will consist of: Weekly group sessions (2-2.5 hours each) led by a certified MBSR instructor, Daily home practice (30-45 minutes per day), supported by guided meditation recordings. Each session will include: Mindfulness meditation focused on present-moment awareness, Body scan exercises to enhance bodily awareness, Gentle yoga and stretching, Breathing and relaxation techniques, and Group discussions and reflection to integrate mindfulness into daily life. Participants will be encouraged to maintain a daily mindfulness routine and record their practice in provided logs.

Treatment:

Behavioral: MBSRP

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants assigned to the control group will not receive any intervention during the study period. They will complete the same assessment measures as the experimental group at baseline, post-intervention (week 8), and follow-up (if applicable). This group serves as a comparison to evaluate whether changes in perceived stress are specifically attributable to the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program rather than natural recovery or time effects. After the completion of data collection, participants in the control group will be offered the opportunity to participate in the MBSR program (wait-list control condition) for ethical considerations.