Researchers are looking for people living with diabetes to take part in a study on whether a Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program can improve their mental wellbeing and physical health.
Dr Wendy Li, an Associate Professor of Psychology at James Cook University and founder and lead of the Mindfulness Lab at JCU, is part of the project, along with researchers from Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
She said living with diabetes can be stressful and emotionally challenging.
"Diabetes is associated with mental health problems, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Multiple factors, such as being overwhelmed by the daily burden of diabetes management often lead to patients having high levels of chronic stress and neglecting their self-care," said Dr Li.
She said there was a physiological 'vicious circle', where stress released cortisol into the body, which hampered the effect of insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes sufferers.
Dr Li said MBSR is a clinically standardised intervention encouraging people to adopt the perspective of openness, curiosity, and acceptance of what is occurring in the present moment with a nonjudgmental attitude.
"We've proven that MBSR reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms over the long term, though the impact on reducing stress and blood glucose levels was more mixed," she said.
She said the new study is an eight-week mindfulness program, delivered online or face-to-face in Townsville, to test if it can help reduce stress, anxiety and low mood and support overall health in people with diabetes.
"If you are over 18, have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes for at least 6 months, are on stable diabetes medication, speak and read English and live in regional or rural North Queensland, we'd like to hear from you," said Dr Li.
She said the program will consist of weekly two to two-and-a-half-hour group sessions, with people asked to complete some brief questionnaires and provide blood tests and hair samples to measure stress and health markers.
"All blood and hair testing costs will be covered and we're also offering a $30 reimbursement per session and a free yoga mat," said Dr Li.
If you'd like to participate, go to https://jcu.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3faxzP8fGts70ns
Or get in touch with Dr Li at [email protected]
Link to previous paper here.
