Client/Patient
Some patients have expressed concern about the commitment and financial burden of mindfulness-based interventions. Others have shared positive impressions of mindfulness, an appreciation for the self-paced nature of practice, and gratitude for the ability to be part of a group of others working towards their recovery.
Barriers
The success of mindfulness-based interventions can be significantly affected by how often patients apply the practice on their own. Patients must be willing and able to employ mindfulness practices in their day-to-day lives independently.
In focus groups, patients expressed concerns around the added cost of mindfulness-based interventions in addition to the treatments they are already receiving. Patients expressed financial concerns that included the cost of treatment, daycare, transportation, and missed work due to the 16-hour treatment schedule.
Some patients have expressed concerns that a mindfulness instructor may struggle to relate to their recovery journey.
Participants in mindfulness-based interventions may have adverse reactions to other group members that may lead to negative outcomes and discontinuation of the treatment. For example, the presence of disruptive participants or mixed-gender groups for individuals with a history of domestic violence could negatively impact how an individual is able to engage in the group setting.
Facilitators
Several studies have found that positive experiences or impressions of mindfulness or meditation are enablers of the decision to enroll in mindfulness-based interventions. One study found that patients viewed mindfulness as a “fashionable trend” and that they were inspired to join out of curiosity. Focus groups with patients also found that patients liked the idea of “retraining the brain” and “finding peace.”
For patients who struggle with self-motivation, this is a barrier, whereas for patients who appreciate self-directed activities, this is an enabler. Studies of online mindfulness-based interventions have found that patients appreciate the flexibility and accessibility, and the ability to guide their practice at their own convenience.
Focus groups with substance use patients found that some liked the idea of joining a group of individuals committed to working on their recovery. Some quotes included that patients were looking forward to reducing “bad influences” and “tackling problems as a group.”