[Experience in an urban outpatient clinic with a mindfulness based intervention]

In this study an evaluation is made of the effectiveness and acceptability of a mindfulness program oriented towards individuals in an outpatient clinic. The program attended to people had mild anxiety, stress, mild depression, chronic pain, or those with problems coping with their chronic disease condition.

The structured intervention was in 10 weekly 2 hour sessions. The study included 35 patients divided in two different groups. The variables associated with the different care qualities were measured using the five facet mindfulness questionnaire before the intervention and at two different times during the intervention: in the 5th week and at the end, in the 10th week.

Statistically significant results were found with five facet mindfulness questionnaire questionnaire in the 5th week (10.52, p=.015) as well as in the 10th week (13.64, p=.039). According to acceptability, 47% of the patients came to 8 or more sessions, and no conflicts or disturbances were registered in relation to the organisation or the development of the program.

Although these kinds of programs are effective and accepted in a Primary Care context, in future studies the clinical changes, and the impact on the health care system itself, should be analysed and measured.