Pilot MBSR for People With HS

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes painful, recurring abscesses and nodules. It is associated with psychological stress and impaired quality of life. Our study aims to pilot a mindfulness-based stress reduction program tailored to patients with HS, then use their feedback to improve the program.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful skin abscesses, nodules, and scarring. Patients with HS experience significant psychological distress and difficulty coping with disease-related stigma, social isolation, and the daily burden of symptoms, including chronic pain.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has demonstrated improvements to psychological distress and chronic pain among patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the standard MBSR course may be challenging for individuals with HS due to the location of painful skin lesions in body fold areas and may not adequately address HS-specific stressors.

Our study will adapt the MBSR intervention for HS using a synthesis of published literature on HS-related stressors and coping strategies, participant feedback, and the expertise of a certified MBSR instructor. The intervention will be delivered virtually over Zoom and evaluated through surveys and focus group discussions.