Brief mindfulness-oriented interventions (MOIs) to improve psychiatric symptoms in a psychiatric inpatient unit: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

ABSTRACT Background Mindfulness-based interventions are effective in treating numerous psychiatric symptoms, but data about brief mindfulness-oriented intervention (MOI) use with psychiatric inpatients are limited. We investigated whether a brief MOI was feasible and effective in reducing psychosis and other symptoms in a psychiatric inpatient unit. Methods In an assessor-blinded feasibility randomized-controlled trial, adult psychiatric inpatients were randomized to the intervention or control group. Feasibility outcomes included enrollment rate, retention rate and intervention-completion rate. The quantitative outcome was the impact on symptom reduction (mean and % difference in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) between baseline and 7-day follow-up scores). Exploratory outcomes included improvement in quality of sleep, mindfulness and quality of life. Qualitative intervention feedback was obtained from therapists and participants. Results Feasibility outcomes were 39.2% participant enrollment, 85% study completion and 81.8% intervention completion. No symptom outcomes significantly differed. There were no significant differences in exploratory outcomes. Interventionists reported system-level barriers in treatment delivery; patients subjectively reported enjoying the intervention. Discussion The MOI is feasible in the inpatient psychiatric setting. There were no significant effects on psychiatric symptoms during the follow-up period, but no adverse effects were reported. Therapeutic effects could be further investigated in longer-term interventions and larger confirmatory RCTs.