Meditation-Based Stress Reduction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inclusion criteria: * Confirmed diagnosis of RA, with doctor's letter or doctors' bill with ICD code 714; * 18 years of age or older; * Able to read and write English; * Able to attend 15 course sessions and questionnaire sessions at Kernan Hospital in Baltimore; * Willing to practice skills for 45 minutes to 1 hour per day, 6 days a week; * Stable on rheumatoid medications for at least one month. Exclusion criteria: * Major psychiatric illness (bipolar disorder, multiple personality disorder, etc.); * Active alcoholism or drug dependency; * Scheduled for major surgery during the study period; * Enrolled in randomized clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis during the study period; * Planning to move out of the area in the next 12 months; * Unwilling to be enrolled in a control group; * Use of assistive device other than a cane; * Serious health condition(s) that the investigator determines would make it difficult to complete the 6 month study; * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.