Online Mindfulness Intervention for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Adherence and Efficacy

Effects of Positive Psychological Interventions on Psychological Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Inflammation Biomarkers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of positive psychological interventions on anxiety, depression, stress, mindfulness, hope, quality of life, and disease activity, as well as inflammation biomarkers, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Databases such as Cochrane Library, PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Web of Science, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Knowledge Network, and WANFANG DATA were searched by two researchers from the time of each database's creation to November 2022. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1,191 patients were included. The results showed that positive psychological interventions were effective in reducing anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.33, -0.30], p = .002), depression (SMD = -0.86, 95% CI [-1.32, -0.41], p = .0002), and stress (SMD = -0.68, 95% CI [-1.05, -0.31], p = .0003), and significantly increased the level of hope (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 3.26, 95% CI [0.84, 5.68], p = .008), mindfulness (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI [0.30, 0.88], p < .0001), and quality of life (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI [0.09, 1.14], p = .02) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This suggests that positive psychological interventions can significantly improve positive psychology and reduce negative emotions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Moving Towards Acceptance and Values: A Qualitative Study of ACTforIBD Compared to IBD Psychoeducation

The current study explored perspectives of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and comorbid anxiety and/or depression on a hybrid acceptance and committment therapy (ACT) intervention, compared to an active control. This qualitative study was nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where an experimental group received an 8-week blended delivery ACTforIBD intervention (four sessions telehealth, four sessions pre-recorded self-directed), while an active control group received a psychoeducation program of similar intensity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted post-intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. Themes were interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty individuals participated; ten in each condition. Seven themes were constructed, including three shared themes between groups: I Am Worth Advocating For, Present Moment Is My Biggest Ally, and Ambivalence About Self-Directed Modules. Two themes were identified for the ACTforIBD group: Symptoms Are Going to Happen and Moving Toward Values while two themes identified from the ActiveControl group were: Reset and Refresh and It's Ok to Say No. Acceptance and values modules from ACTforIBD were perceived as useful in reducing psychological distress for those with IBD, while the ActiveControl group felt their program affirmed existing effective coping strategies. Access to external resources for self-directed modules and networking may increase engagement with content long term.

Efficacy and Feasibility of the Minimal Therapist-Guided Four-Week Online Audio-Based Mindfulness Program 'Mindful Senses' for Burnout and Stress Reduction in Medical Personnel: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Previous online mindfulness-based interventions for burnout and stress reduction in medical personnel had limited effect size and high dropout rate, so we developed a new online mindfulness program 'Mindful Senses (MS)' with aims to increase effect size and lower dropout rate. To test its efficacy and feasibility, ninety medical personnel with moderate or high levels of burnout and stress from across Thailand were recruited and randomly allocated into Group A and Group B equally. Group A read psychological self-help articles (PSA) and attended MS program through smartphone application during weeks 1-4. Group B read PSA during weeks 1-4 and attended MS program during weeks 9-12. Burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and quality of life were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8 for both groups, and at weeks 12 and 16 for Group B. Group x time interaction was analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA. The results showed that, compared to PSA only, MS + PSA had statistically significant improvement of burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and quality of life with moderate-to-very large effect sizes at week 4 (d = 1.33, 1.42, 1.04, 1.14, 0.70, and 1.03, respectively) and moderate-to-large effect sizes at week 8 (d = 0.84, 0.98, 0.73, 0.73, 0.66, and 0.94, respectively). The dropout rate was 4.4%. In conclusion, the MS program has potential to be an alternative intervention for medical personnel suffering from burnout and stress.