Efficacy of 8 vs 4 Sessions Mindfulness-based Programs in a Non-clinical Population

A 8 weekly sessions of 120 min based on the standard protocol of Kabat Zinn was performed. The adapted program did not include a one-day retreat in silence, but one session in silence plus extra kindly awareness (compassion-based) and value-based exercises. Home practice was not systematically assessed, but recommended to be of 45min per day, most of the days. It was administered by a trained (3-y experience) and certified MBSR teacher (MMPD).

This protocol was made up of 4 sessions of 120 mn administered by the same trained MBSR programme therapist to avoid variables associated to the therapist. The rationale behind the shortened version of MBSR was to keep the core content and practices of the program, in fewer sessions: raisin exercise (experiential concept of mindfulness); and main anchors of attention (breathing, body sensations, body movements).