Perception of Gratitude During an Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention (eMBI) in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease in Brazil: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) have an impact on patient quality of life at some point. Alternatives such as pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen supplementation, yoga, and mindfulness practices can help in the care of patients with ILD. The current study was designed to explore the perceptions of gratitude by patients with various ILDs during an MBI. This was a qualitative study involving 50 patients with ILDs. Data were collected through transcription of expressions of gratitude during weekly sessions. A six-phase thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data qualitatively. The results obtained allowed the construction of five thematic categories of gratitude: Religious belief: recognition of the existence of a God being evident in the statements of several patients, who relied on it as a strategy for coping with the disease; the possibility of autonomy: perceived in the importance placed upon being able to perform simple, routine tasks; the presence of family and friends, the assurance of treatment by the health care team and the treatment itself; and the changes achieved through the mindfulness training. Despite the severity and limitations imposed by the disease, the participants were able to perceive the importance and meaning of the presence of family and friends, spirituality, the medical team, and mindfulness in their lives.