Background: Sjo¨gren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with ocular and oral dryness and a wide spectrum
of symptoms leading to psychological distress and reduced
quality of life (QoL). Subsequently, emotional disorders increase
mucosal dryness by causing pathological vicious cycles. The aim
of the present pilot study was to investigate the effect of a
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) protocol on perceived stress, awareness, mood states, mental and physical health,
and discomfort associated with mucosal dryness in patients with
primary SS (pSS) and non-Sjo¨gren’s sicca syndrome (nS-SS).
Methods: Twenty-one patients with pSS or nS-SS participated
in a MBSR program, lasting eight weeks. Patients were assessed
by clinimetric tools for health-related QoL (Short Form 36
[SF-36]), fatigue and discomfort (Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort-Short Form), QoL related to oral health (Oral Health
Related Quality of Life in Primary Sjo¨gren’s), perceived stress
(Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), mindful attention and awareness
(Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), and mood states (Profile
of Mood State [POMS]) at the beginning of the study, at the end
of the MBSR program, and after a follow-up period.
Results: SS patients showed a significant improvement after
the MBSR program for mental health measured by the SF-36
scale (P < 0.001), PSS (P < 0.05), and all subscales of POMS
(total score, anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension and
vigor; P < 0.05).
Conclusions: This pilot study shows mindfulness training to
be very useful as an additional and effective approach to a
multidisciplinary care plan in patients with pSS and nS-SS