Authors (including presenting author) :
Keiko Hui(1), Chan TY(1), Cho WV (1)
Affiliation :
Department of Clinical Psychology, CMC
Introduction :
Mindfulness refers to paying attention nonjudgmentally in the present moment (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). Several studies have found that mindfulness based intervention was one of the effective methods assisting cancer patients in managing their pain (Tsang et al., 2012), perceive stress, depression and anxiety (Zainal, Booth and Huppert, 2013).
However an 8-week mindfulness based programs are often not feasible for patients who are under palliative care. Some studies started to look at the efficacy of brief mindfulness practices. Among different mindfulness practices, mindful breathing was perceived as a main practice that serves as an anchor for the other mindful practices (Tan, 2012). Beng et al.(2016) found out that five-minute mindful breathing could reduce patients’ distress. While pain and shortness of breath are two common symptoms found among patients under palliative care (Wijk and Grimby, 2008), studies of brief mindfulness practice in managing these discomfort on them are limited, not to mention in Hong Kong population.
Objectives :
To evaluate the efficacy of brief mindful breathing, led by trained psychology assistant, in helping patients with shortness of breath or pain under Palliative Care.
Methodology :
57 patients with physical discomfort (i.e. shortness of breath and pain) were recruited in this study and a total of 160 mindful breathing practice sessions were provided.
Two assessment tools were used: Subjective Unit of Distress Scale (SUDS) and Stress Thermometer. SUDS is a self-reported measure to evaluate the level of an individual’s current distress. Its range is from 0 (no distress) to 10 (the most distressed). Stress thermometer is a commonly used tool to measure skin surface temperature. According to Ng et al. (2016), skin surface temperature were influenced by an individual’s cognition and emotion. An increase in skin surface temperature means a more peaceful mood.
A paired sample t- test was used to compare the results before and after brief mindful breathing sessions (Wilcoxon signed- rank test would be used for non- parametric data). The correlation between the extent of the change and numbers of mindful breathing practice sessions would be assessed via Spearman’s rank- order correlation.
Result & Outcome :
Results showed a significant increase in skin surface temperature after the brief mindful breathing exercises (Z= -4.617, p< .01). The extend of the increase was found positively correlated with the number of brief mindful breathing practice sessions attended (r= .339, p< .05). Patients also reported a significantly lowered subjective distress level (SUDS) after receiving brief mindful breathing practices, from 4.884 to 4.347 (t(44)= 3.297, p< .01). In sum, brief mindful breathing practices, led by trained psychology assistant, is an effective means in managing pain and shortness of breath among patients under palliative care.
