Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Caregivers

NCT ID: NCT07322081

Last Updated: 2026-01-23

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-01-15

Study Completion Date

2024-11-15

Brief Summary

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This study is designed to investigate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on cognitive control and flexibility, psychological well-being, and self-compassion among primary caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses. Caregivers of individuals with chronic mental health conditions are exposed to prolonged psychological, emotional, and cognitive demands, which may negatively affect their mental well-being and coping capacities.

The study adopts a mixed-methods approach using an exploratory sequential design in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of caregivers' needs and experiences and to evaluate the potential impact of the intervention. Qualitative findings are intended to inform the development and structuring of the MBSR program, while the quantitative phase is designed to examine changes in key psychological outcomes following the intervention. The study aims to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting mindfulness-based interventions for caregiver populations and to inform future mental health service practices.

Detailed Description

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The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on cognitive control and flexibility, psychological well-being, and self-compassion in primary caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses receiving services from a community mental health center. Caregiving for individuals with chronic mental health conditions often involves sustained emotional, cognitive, and social demands, which may increase vulnerability to psychological distress and reduce adaptive coping capacities.

The study is designed as a mixed-methods research utilizing an exploratory sequential design, integrating qualitative and quantitative research components. In the initial qualitative phase, in-depth, face-to-face interviews are planned to explore caregivers' experiences, perceived challenges, coping strategies, and expectations related to caregiving and psychological support. The qualitative findings are intended to guide the development, adaptation, and content refinement of the MBSR intervention in accordance with the specific needs of the caregiver population.

Following the qualitative phase, the quantitative component of the study is designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial. Eligible caregivers are planned to be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving the MBSR program or a control group receiving routine services. The MBSR program is structured to include mindfulness practices, psychoeducation, and experiential exercises aimed at enhancing present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion.

Standardized self-report instruments are planned to be used to assess cognitive control and flexibility, psychological well-being, and self-compassion at predefined assessment points. The quantitative findings are intended to complement the qualitative results and to provide a systematic evaluation of the potential effects of the MBSR program.

The integration of qualitative and quantitative findings is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intervention process and outcomes, supporting the development of evidence-based psychosocial interventions for caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses within community mental health service settings.

Conditions

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Mental Illness Caregiver Support Caregiver Stress in Chronic Mental Illness Psychosocial Burden in Psychiatric Caregivers Chronic Mental Illness Caregiving Cognitive and Emotional Outcomes in Caregivers

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with a parallel assignment model. Eligible participants are planned to be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program or a control group receiving usual care throughout the study period.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Due to the nature of the behavioral intervention, masking of participants and care providers is not feasible.

Study Groups

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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program

Participants assigned to this arm receive the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program designed for primary caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses, in addition to routine services provided by the community mental health center.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program consists of structured mindfulness practices, psychoeducation, and experiential exercises delivered to caregivers.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program is a structured behavioral intervention designed for primary caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses. The program includes mindfulness practices, psychoeducation, and experiential exercises aimed at increasing present-moment awareness and adaptive coping skills. Sessions are delivered in a group format according to a standardized program structure.

Usual Care Group

Intervention Type OTHER

Usual care consists of standard support and services routinely provided by the community mental health center.

Control Group (Usual Care)

Participants assigned to this arm receive routine care and standard support services provided by the community mental health center and do not receive the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program consists of structured mindfulness practices, psychoeducation, and experiential exercises delivered to caregivers.

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program is a structured behavioral intervention designed for primary caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses. The program includes mindfulness practices, psychoeducation, and experiential exercises aimed at increasing present-moment awareness and adaptive coping skills. Sessions are delivered in a group format according to a standardized program structure.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Usual Care Group

Usual care consists of standard support and services routinely provided by the community mental health center.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Standard Care

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Being the primary caregiver of an individual with a chronic mental illness who is registered at the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) of Söke Fehime Faik Kocagöz State Hospital
* Residing in the Söke district of Aydın province
* Being literate
* Having been the primary caregiver of the patient for at least six months

Exclusion Criteria

* Having been diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder
* Having an intellectual disability
* Data from caregivers who submitted incomplete data collection forms were excluded from the study
* Caregivers who chose to withdraw from the study during the research process were excluded, and any data obtained from them were not used in the analysis
* Individuals who missed more than two sessions of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program were excluded, and their data were not included in the study
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Aydin Adnan Menderes University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ömer USLU

PhD Student in Psychiatric Nursing

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Söke Fehime Faik Kocagöz State Hospital Community Mental Health Center

Aydin, Söke, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

No external links to the study data are publicly available at this time. Data requests can be made by contacting the corresponding author or the Community Mental Health Center at Aydın Adnan Menderes University.

View Document

Related Links

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https://www.adu.edu.tr

No external links are available at this time.

Other Identifiers

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PhD-Thesis-2025

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MBSR-Caregivers-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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