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Intermediate Technical IVT

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Also written as: MBSR — Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

A structured program that uses mindfulness meditation to reduce stress and improve health outcomes.

Full Definition

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an eight-week structured program that teaches mindfulness meditation techniques to help patients cope with stress, pain, and illness. Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR combines mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and yoga in a secular format. The program includes formal meditation practices, informal mindfulness exercises, and group discussions. In behavioral medicine, MBSR is used for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and immune system disorders. Clinical documentation typically includes practice logs, adherence measures, and standardized outcome assessments.

Usage

Usage note: Always hyphenate the compound modifier 'mindfulness-based' when preceding a noun.

In Context

  • "The patient enrolled in an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program for chronic pain management." — treatment plan
  • "MBSR implementation showed significant reductions in cortisol levels among cancer patients." — research findings

Also known as

MBSR

Don't confuse with

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

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