Meditation-Based Stress Reduction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program is useful in relieving symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Official Title

Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction in Relieving Symptoms Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conditions

– Rheumatoid Arthritis

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Educational/Counseling/Training, Randomized, Open Label, Active Control, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study

Further Details

Study Start

Eligibility & Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and above, Genders Eligible for Study: Both Criteria Inclusion criteria:Confirmed diagnosis of RA, with doctor’s letter or doctors’ bill with ICD code 714; 18 years of age or older; Able to read and write English; Able to attend 15 course sessions and questionnaire sessions at Kernan Hospital in Baltimore; Willing to practice skills for 45 minutes to 1 hour per day, 6 days a week; Stable on rheumatoid medications for at least one month. Exclusion criteria:Major psychiatric illness (bipolar disorder, multiple personality disorder, etc.); Active alcoholism or drug dependency; Scheduled for major surgery during the study period; Enrolled in randomized clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis during the study period; Planning to move out of the area in the next 12 months; Unwilling to be enrolled in a control group; Use of assistive device other than a cane; Serious health condition(s) that the investigator determines would make it difficult to complete the 6 month study; Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Total Enrolment

80

Contact Details

[1] Brian Berman, MD, Principal Investigator, Director, Center for Integrative Medicine