Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the anxiety, depression and quality of life of patients with intrauterine adhesion: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study aimed to investigate effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with intrauterine adhesion. Methods: Patients who received therapy for intrauterine adhesion (IUA) were recruited and randomized into MBSR group and Wait-List group (WL group). 71 women who received routine physical examination were recruited as healthy controls. Patients in MBSR group received MBSR training for 8 weeks. Results: There were 76 patients in MBSR group, 75 patients in WL group and 71 subjects in control group. When compared with control group, the scores of anxiety and depression increased significantly and the score of quality of life reduced significantly before intervention. In patients, the scores of quality of life in all the domains were negatively related to the scores of anxiety and depression (P<0.05). After MBSR for 8 weeks, there was a significant time and group interaction for the anxiety score (F=55.168, P<0.001) and depression score (F=252.485, P<0.001). The MBSR group showed a decrease in the anxiety and depression score, while the WL group did not. The quality of life (except for bodily pain) in the MBSR group was also significantly improved. The recurrence rate in the MBSR group was 18.4%, which was significantly lower than that in WL group (34.7%; P=0.024). Conclusion: IUA patients have evident anxiety and depression, which significantly reduces the life quality of patients. MBSR may improve the anxiety and depression of IUA patients during therapy, promote the post-operative recovery and improve their quality of life.