Skip to main content Skip to search

How long does a mindfulness-based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress

How long does a mindfulness-based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Short Title: How long does a mindfulness-based stress reduction program need to be?
Format: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2009
Pages: 627–638
Library/Archive: © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sources ID: 22482
Visibility: Private
Abstract: (Show)

The mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program was designed to be long enough for participants to grasp the principles of self-regulation through mindfulness and develop skill and autonomy in mindfulness practice. It traditionally consists of 26 hours of session time including eight classes of 2-1/2 hours and an all-day class. The circumstances of some groups exclude them from participating in this standard form and a number of trials have evaluated programs with abbreviated class time. If lower program time demands can lead to similar outcomes in psychological functioning, it would support their utility in these settings and might lead to greater participation. However, the effect of variation in class hours on outcomes has not been systematically studied. To obtain preliminary information related to this question we examined effect sizes for psychological outcome variables in published studies of MBSR, some of which had adapted the standard number of class hours. The correlation between mean effect size and number of in-class hours was nonsignificant for both clinical and nonclinical samples and suggests that adaptations that include less class time may be worthwhile for populations for whom reduction of psychological distress is an important goal and for whom longer time commitment may be a barrier to their ability or willingness to participate. However, the standard MBSR format has accrued the most empirical support for its efficacy and session time may be important to the development of other kinds of program outcomes. The result points to the importance of empirical studies systematically examining this question. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65: 1–12, 2009.

Subjects: 
Psychiatry and Contemplation
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction / Cognitive Therapy
Health Care and Contemplation
Psychotherapy and Contemplation
Contemplation by Applied Subject