Experiences of mindfulness training in living with rheumatic disease: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

This study examined experiences of Mindfulness training for 5 adults living with Rheumatic Disease. Focus group data was used to explore the experience and impact of Mindfulness training in participants aged between 46 and 69 diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. All participants had completed an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programme (MBSR) 6 months prior to the study. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis produced two themes: ‘responding to pain’ and ‘psychological well-being’. All participants spoke similarly and with enthusiasm, reflecting the strength of the impact of Mindfulness upon the daily lives of these individuals. Methodological limitations are considered along with clinical applications and suggestions for future research. The findings from this study reinforce the outcomes of previous research and indicate that Mindfulness has potential to improve the health and well-being of individuals living with Rheumatic Disease.