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Table 1 Description of mindfulness training sessions

From: Mindfulness training during brief periods of hospitalization in multiple sclerosis (MS): beneficial alterations in fatigue and the mediating role of depression

 

Session

Description

1

Introduction

Presentation of the concept of mindfulness. Introduction of breathing exercise. Breathing exercises were used throughout the following sessions.

2

Bodily sensations

The body scan was performed. Participants were instructed to move their attentional focus through their body while retaining a mindful attitude.

3

Thoughts

In context of a breathing exercise, participants were encouraged to pay attention to upcoming thoughts without getting engaged in their content. Metaphors were introduced, e.g. imagining being on a beach and writing letters in the sand, that would be washed away by water afterwards. Participants were encouraged to adopt a neutral observing perspective, to step back from their current stream of thoughts and to experience that thoughts can be handled like neutral objects.

4

Emotions

The concept of radical acceptance of feelings was presented. The goal was to shape a mindful observant attitude to experience one’s own emotion irrespective of its consequences. Participants were invited to close their eyes and observe the thoughts and feelings in the present moment while retaining a mindful attitude.

5

Optional session

The first optional session covered the topic of self-care and self-compassion. Participants were encouraged to apply a mindful attitude of non-judgmental, curious, and gentle observation, acceptance and compassion to themselves and their needs.

6

Optional session

Applicability of mindfulness to daily activities, e.g. mindful eating, or brushing teeth mindfully. In the last session, participants could also pick exercises from their favorite session, from which they subjectively benefitted the most.

  1. Note. The training consisted of four basic sessions (sessions 1–4) and two optional sessions (sessions 5–6). It was anticipated that during their relatively short stay in the acute-care hospital, the majority of patients would be able to participate in at least four mindfulness training sessions. As the duration in the hospital was known to vary considerably across patients, two optional sessions were offered for patients with a longer stay in the hospital