Mindfulness meditation, anxiety reduction, and heart disease: a pilot study

Author: Tacon AM//McComb J//Caldera Y//Randolph P
Affiliation: The Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University, USA
Conference/Journal: Fam Community Health
Date published: 2003
Other: Volume ID: 26 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 25-33 , Special Notes: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial , Word Count: 98


Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans each year, yet the misperception still exists that cardiovascular disease is not a serious health problem for women. Evidence indicates that anxiety contributes to the development of heart disease. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction program to reduce anxiety in women with heart disease. Anxiety, emotional control, coping styles, and health locus of control were compared in a treatment and control group of women with heart disease. Post-intervention analyses provide initial support for beneficial effects of this program.