MBSR Evidence in Advanced Illness — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ
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Correct answer: C — MBSR, usually delivered in an eight‑week structured programme teaching present‑moment awareness and acceptance, has evidence for reducing anxiety, depression and improving symptom coping (e.g. breathlessness perception) in chronic and advanced illness.
Option C is correct. Meta‑analysis demonstrates MBSR modestly reduces anxiety (ES ~0.47) and depression (ES ~0.26) in chronic medical illness, and is delivered as an 8‑week structured programme emphasizing present‑moment awareness and acceptance (Bohlmeijer et al. 2010) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20488270/?utm_source=openai)). A single brief mindfulness session has been shown in RCTs to yield immediate symptom relief in palliative care settings (Look et al. 2021) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32788274/?utm_source=openai)). While a small RCT in COPD using mindfulness‑based breathing therapy showed no significant dyspnea improvement versus support group, this does not negate established benefits on psychological symptom perception and coping ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19848546/?utm_source=openai)). Distractors are clearly incorrect or misleading: A and E ignore the evidence base; B conflates MBSR with non‑specific relaxation; C misstates programme duration.
Reference: Bohlmeijer E et al. The effects of mindfulness‑based stress reduction therapy on mental health of adults with a chronic medical disease: a meta‑analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2010;68(6):539‑44. PubMed URL, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20488270/