Feedback, stress, and physical symptoms, following an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) class in Japan:A pilot study

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression, physical pain, sleep disturbances, and smoking, in the United States and increasingly in Japan. However, the efficacy and feasibility of mindfulness-based interventions in Japan is unknown and remains to be investigated. This is the first Japanese study to obtain feedback and report data on stress and physical symptoms before and after an eight-week, mindfulness-based intervention program. We have discussed the importance of these results from the Eastern perspective within the context of differences in psychological concepts between Western and Eastern countries and integrating and adopting psychological concepts for global living. We utilized the constructs of coping and coping styles, as defined by Beutler and his colleagues who summarized cross-cultural findings on coping styles and matched interventions to enhance coping abilities. We also addressed the significance of insight-oriented approaches in mindfulness-based interventions.