MBSR

MBSR, or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, is an eight-week program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979. It aims to teach mindfulness meditation and related practices to help people cope with stress, pain, and illness.

Typically delivered as an eight-week course, with weekly 2.5-hour group sessions and a full-day retreat, MBSR combines guided mindfulness meditation, body scan, gentle yoga or mindful movement, and group dialogue. Participants are encouraged to maintain daily home practice (often 45 to 60 minutes). The program emphasizes nonjudgmental awareness of present-moment experience and the ability to respond rather than react to stress.

Research on MBSR has grown since its inception. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally report small to moderate reductions in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and improvements in quality of life across diverse populations. It has particular evidence for chronic pain and other physical conditions; results for other mental health outcomes vary. MBSR is not a substitute for medical treatment but may be used as a complementary approach.

Delivery occurs in medical centers, universities, community settings, and increasingly online. Qualified MBSR teachers typically complete standardized teacher training and ongoing supervision. Because MBSR is secular in framing, it is presented apart from specific religious traditions; related programs such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) adapt the approach to specific clinical goals.

Critics note methodological limitations in some studies, variability in program delivery, and potential accessibility barriers. Some participants experience emotional discomfort during practice, underscoring the need for appropriate screening and support.