Effectiveness Of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Research Articles

발표불안 경향성이 있는 대학생에 대한 노출절차를 포함한 마음챙김에 기초한 인지치료(MBCT)의 치료효과와치료과정변인의 변화

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with add-on exposure procedure among university students with speech anxiety, as well as to examine how their mindfulness levels and emotion regulation ability changes during the therapy process. Thirteen students with speech anxiety without high depression participated in this research, and they were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (7 students) or the wait-list control group (6 students). The pre-test, post-test, and a follow-up test(a month later) were administered. The results showed that the speech anxiety score was reduced more in the experimental group compared with the control group, and the effect was maintained a month later. The mindfulness levels of the experimental group was enhanced more than that of control group. Observation ability and sub-factor of mindfulness was significantly enhanced in the experimental group. As for emotion regulation ability, the experimental group did not improved more compared to the control group, but post-test score was significantly increased more than the pre-test score in the experimental group only. This result was due to the reduction of impulsive control difficulties and inaccessibility to emotional regulation strategies, the sub-factors of emotion regulation difficulties. The results of analyzing the individual cases of the experimental group showed that all participants improved significantly in their mindfulness levels and emotion regulation ability. Almost all participants showed a significant improvement of mindfulness leves after the 7th or 8th session. An improvement of emotion regulation ability was faster than that of the mindfulness level. That is, three participants improved after the 5th session, but there was remarkable variability. This study has significance in finding the effects of MBCT with an add-on exposure procedure against speech anxiety and in exploring the changes of patterns with respect to the mindfulness level and emotion regulation ability during the therapy process.

Clinical and psychological moderators of the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on persistent pain in women treated for primary breast cancer – explorative analyses from a randomized controlled trial

Background: Mindfulness-based intervention has been found efficacious in reducing persistent pain in women treated for breast cancer. Little, however, is known about possible moderators of the effect. We explored clinical and psychological moderators of the effect on pain intensity previously found in a randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) with women treated for breast cancer with persistent pain.Material and methods: A total of 129 women treated for breast cancer reporting persistent pain were randomized to MBCT or a wait-list control. The primary outcome of pain intensity (11-point numeric rating scale) was measured at baseline, post-intervention, three, and six months follow-up. Proposed clinical moderators included age, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), radiotherapy, and endocrine treatment. Psychological moderators included psychological distress [the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], the adult attachment dimensions anxiety and avoidance [the Experiences in Close Relationships Short Form (the ECR-SF)], and alexithymia [the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)]. Multi-level models were used to test moderation effects over time, i.e. time × group × moderator.Results: Only attachment avoidance (p = 0.03, d = 0.36) emerged as a statistically significant moderator. Higher levels of attachment avoidance predicted a larger effect of MBCT in reducing pain intensity compared with lower levels attachment avoidance. None of the remaining psychological or clinical moderators reached statistical significance. However, based on the effect size, radiotherapy (p = 0.075, d = 0.49) was indicated as a possible clinical moderator of the effect, with radiotherapy being associated with a smaller effect of MBCT on pain intensity over time compared with no radiotherapy.Conclusion: Attachment avoidance, and potentially radiotherapy, may be clinically relevant factors for identifying the patients who may benefit most from MBCT as a pain intervention. Due to the exploratory nature of the analyses, the results should be considered preliminary.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients: A waiting list controlled study.

Fatigue is the most common symptom in multiple sclerosis. Evidence-based treatment options are scarce. To study the feasibility and potential effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients. Non-randomized pilot study with a wai-ting list control period including 59 multiple sclerosis patients with severe fatigue. fatigue severity subscale of the Checklist Individual Strength-20. Secondary measures: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, subscale sleep of the Symptom Checklist-90, Cognitive Failure Questionnaire, Fatigue Catastrophizing Scale, Coping Inventory of Stressful Situations, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form. Measurements were taken before treatment (double baseline), after treatment, and at follow-up (3 months). Adherence rate was 71%. Eight out of 10 participants who completed the intervention were satisfied with the intervention. Significant time effects were found for 7 out of 11 outcome measures (p = 0.006 to < 0.001). The effect size was moderate for all outcome measures that were significant post-treatment and/or at follow-up (Ƞ² = 0.10-0.17). Improvements were maintained at follow-up. Of the completers, 46% showed a clinically relevant change regarding fatigue. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is feasible in severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients and has positive results in the reduction of severe fatigue and several psychological factors.

Is mindfulness a mediator factor in obsessive compulsive disorder?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on positive reappraisal in patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: The research design was quasi-experimental of pre-test and post-test type with control group. The statistical population of present study involved all patients referring to psychiatry clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences who received obsessive-compulsive disorders diagnosis. Thirty available patients were selected that filled cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ) after being randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group attended 8 sessions of MBCT. The cognitive emotional regulation questioner was administered after completion of the sessions and data of both states (before and after sessions) were collected and analyzed using covariance analysis test. Results: The MBCT was effective in increasing positive strategies (positive reappraisal, positive refocusing, planning, putting into perspective) and decreasing negative strategies (self-blame, blaming others, catastrophizing, rumination, and acceptance) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that it is possible to increase positive strategies of emotion regulation through training MBCT.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Techniques in Decreasing Anxiety and Depression in Women Victims of Spouse Abuse

Psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety are outputs of domestic violence and victims should be treated using medical and nonmedical treatment. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing anxiety and depression of women victims of domestic violence in Tehran. The study is an empirical research in kind of pretest-posttest plan with a control group. Statistical population consists of women victims of domestic violence in Tehran referred to several psychiatric clinics in Tehran for treatment by 2015. The statistical sample consists of 30 women selected randomly, who were placed into two groups, each group with 15 members. The experimental group was under the intervention of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for 8 sessions and control group was in waiting list. Both groups, fulfilled Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in final step and end of treatment. Obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA and using SPSS22 software. The obtained results from the study show that there is a significant difference between two experimental and control groups in terms of depression and anxiety after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention (p&amp;lt;001). The obtained results from the study show that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can affect the reduction of anxiety and depression of women victims of domestic violence.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Techniques in Decreasing Anxiety and Depression in Women Victims of Spouse Abuse

Psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety are outputs of domestic violence and victims should be treated using medical and nonmedical treatment. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing anxiety and depression of women victims of domestic violence in Tehran. The study is an empirical research in kind of pretest-posttest plan with a control group. Statistical population consists of women victims of domestic violence in Tehran referred to several psychiatric clinics in Tehran for treatment by 2015. The statistical sample consists of 30 women selected randomly, who were placed into two groups, each group with 15 members. The experimental group was under the intervention of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for 8 sessions and control group was in waiting list. Both groups, fulfilled Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in final step and end of treatment. Obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA and using SPSS22 software. The obtained results from the study show that there is a significant difference between two experimental and control groups in terms of depression and anxiety after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention (p&amp;lt;001). The obtained results from the study show that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can affect the reduction of anxiety and depression of women victims of domestic violence.

Effectiveness of mindfulness based cognitive therapy on the distress tolerance of nurses and job burnout

Background and Purpose: Distress is an important issue with significant effects on nurses and patients in the nursing profession. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on the distress tolerance of nurses with job burnout. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. Study population consisted of 202 female nurses employed at Fatemeh Zahra Hospital (heart center) of Sari, Iran in 2015. Collected data were indicative of job burnout in 70 participants. In total, 30 nurses were selected as eligible subjects and equally divided into two groups of intervention and control. Pretest was performed on both groups. Nurses in the intervention group received eight sessions of training (two hours each) twice per week, while the control group had no intervention. Both groups were evaluated after the intervention (posttest). Data were collected using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Simons and Gaher's Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using analysis of covariance. Results: In this study, use of MBCT was observed to positively affect the distress tolerance of nurses with job burnout. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, factors such as prompt decision-making, job difficulty, long working shifts, and stressful environments were significantly involved in the psychological and physical stress of nurses, and MBCT could effectively enhance distress tolerance in the participants.

Does Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy benefit all people with diabetes and comorbid emotional complaints equally? Moderators in the DiaMind trial

ObjectivesResearch has shown the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for a variety of emotional problems in different samples, but it is unknown which factors influence this effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of the current study was: which factors (demographic, personality, and baseline levels of mindfulness skills) moderate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)? MethodsOutpatients with diabetes (type 1 or type 2; N=139) and an elevated level of emotional distress participated in the Diabetes and Mindfulness (DiaMind) trial. They were randomized into MBCT (N=70) or a control group (N=69) that received treatment as usual and that was offered the intervention 6months later. Primary outcomes were anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress at post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up. ResultsMixed models analyses showed that sex, extraversion, and baseline acting with awareness were significant moderators of effectiveness. In the MBCT group, women showed larger decreases in anxiety and depression across time (large effects) compared to men (medium to small effects). For extraversion divided into quartiles, the three lowest quartiles generally exhibited large decreases in symptoms, whereas the high extraversion group showed medium (perceived stress) to small (depression) decreases. ConclusionMBCT seems to be effective to decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress for a broad range of person characteristics in patients with diabetes. However, men and those high in extraversion showed considerably lower effectiveness compared to the other groups. The small effect in high extraverts may be due to the large dropout in this subgroup.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Quality of Life and Body Image in Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Mastectomy

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Quality of Life and Body Image in Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Mastectomy

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Severity of Social Anxiety and Self-Control People with Social Anxiety Symptoms

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on severity of social anxiety and self-control people with social anxiety symptoms. The study was quasi-experimental with pretest - posttest and follow-up with experiential groups. The population consisted of all the students at Isfahan University, Iran. However, 30 students from this university were randomly placed into two groups namely experimental and control groups (15 students in each group). The used inventory in this research was: 1. Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (Liebowitz, 1987) and Self-control questionnaire (Tangney, 2005). The results of MANOVA test showed that mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing severity of social anxiety and improvement of self-control and psychological flexibility is effective in patients with social anxiety symptoms (p DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4S2p231

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Body Awareness in Patients with Chronic Pain and Comorbid Depression.

Body awareness has been proposed as one of the major mechanisms of mindfulness interventions, and it has been shown that chronic pain and depression are associated with decreased levels of body awareness. We investigated the effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on body awareness in patients with chronic pain and comorbid active depression compared to treatment as usual (TAU; N = 31). Body awareness was measured by a subset of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) scales deemed most relevant for the population. These included: Noticing, Not-Distracting, Attention Regulation, Emotional Awareness, and Self-Regulation. In addition, pain catastrophizing was measured by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). These scales had adequate to high internal consistency in the current sample. Depression severity was measured by the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology—Clinician rated (QIDS-C16). Increases in the MBCT group were significantly greater than in the TAU group on the “Self-Regulation” and “Not Distracting” scales. Furthermore, the positive effect of MBCT on depression severity was mediated by “Not Distracting.” These findings provide preliminary evidence that a mindfulness-based intervention may increase facets of body awareness as assessed with the MAIA in a population of pain patients with depression. Furthermore, they are consistent with a long hypothesized mechanism for mindfulness and emphasize the clinical relevance of body awareness.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective as relapse prevention for patients with recurrent depression in Scandinavian primary health care.

This study examined the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in primary care for patients with recurrent depression (major depressive disorder: MDD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), MDD is now the leading cause of disease burden in middle- and high-income countries. Patients (N=45) with three or more previous depressive episodes were recruited to participate in MBCT as a preventative intervention. Using a benchmarking approach, outcome data was compared with data from a recent efficacy study. The methodology is a rigorous approach to assessing effectiveness when evidence-based UK protocols are transferred into the existing Scandinavian service delivery. Additionally, a person-centred methodological approach was used to assess clinical significance on the Reliable Change Index (RCI). The analysis revealed comparable or larger effects from pre-test to post-test in reduced psychiatric symptoms, increased quality of life and level of mindfulness, and the effects were maintained over 14 months. Analysis of the relapse rate in the current study (16%) compared to the TAU in the efficacy study (68%) yielded an h value of 0.78, a moderate effect size. Only 13% dropped out of the treatment. According to the RCI findings, 65% to 67% of participants in the clinical group improved, no individual worsened, and women showed a significantly greater improvement of depression and anxiety than men. Therapeutic alliance and motivation had no impact on the outcome. The overall result suggests that MBCT can be implemented successfully in Scandinavian primary health care as a preventive intervention for patients with recurrent depression.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Iranian Female Adolescents Suffering From Social Anxiety.

BackgroundSocial anxiety is one of the most common psychological disorders that exists among children and adolescents, and it has profound effects on their psychological states and academic achievements.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on diminishing social anxiety disorder symptoms and improving the self-esteem of female adolescents suffering from social anxiety.Patients and MethodsSemi-experimental research was conducted on 30 female students diagnosed with social anxiety. From the population of female students who were studying in Tehran’s high schools in the academic year of 2013 - 2014, 30 students fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria were selected using the convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of MBCT treatment. The control group received no treatment. All participants completed the social phobia inventory (SPIN) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) twice as pre- and post-treatment tests.ResultsThe results from the experimental group indicated a statistically reliable difference between the mean scores from SPIN (t (11) = 5.246, P = 0.000) and RSES (t (11) = -2.326, P = 0.040) pre-treatment and post-treatment. On the other hand, the results of the control group failed to reveal a statistically reliable difference between the mean scores from SPIN (t (12) = 1.089, P = 0.297) and RSES pre-treatment and post-treatment (t (12) = 1.089, P = 0.000).ConclusionsThe results indicate that MBCT is effective on both the improvement of self-esteem and the decrease of social anxiety. The results are in accordance with prior studies performed on adolescents.

Mindfulness facets as differential mediators of short and long-term effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in diabetes outpatients: Findings from the DiaMind randomized trial

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that mindfulness-based interventions reduce psychological distress in various medical populations. However, it has hardly been studied if these effects are mediated by an increase in mindfulness. The aim of this study was to examine mediating effects of various mindfulness facets on effects of a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on perceived stress and mood. MethodsOutpatients with diabetes types 1 and 2 and low levels of emotional wellbeing were randomized into a group receiving MBCT (n=70) or a waiting-list control group (n=69). Primary outcomes were mood and perceived stress. Before, after and at follow-up (6months post intervention) relevant questionnaires were completed. ResultsMediation analysis using bootstrap resampling indicated that increases in total mindfulness and the facets observing and nonreactivity mediated the effects of the intervention on depressed and angry mood, anxiety (only observing), and perceived stress (only nonreactivity) from pre- to post-intervention. In contrast, from post-intervention to follow-up, besides total mindfulness the facets of acting with awareness and nonjudging mediated the effects on depressed, anxious, and angry mood, while only nonjudging mediated the effects on perceived stress. DiscussionThe findings indicate that increases in levels of mindfulness mediate the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in patients with diabetes. It is notable that different facets may be important for immediate change versus long-term outcome. These findings might be relevant for post-intervention care.

The Effects of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy added to Treatment as Usual on suicidal ideation in chronic depression: Results of a randomized-clinical trial

BackgroundSuicidal ideation (SI) is common in chronic depression, but only limited evidence exists for the assumption that psychological treatments for depression are effective for reducing SI. MethodsIn the present study, the effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT; group version) plus treatment-as-usual (TAU: individual treatment by either a psychiatrist or a licensed psychotherapist, including medication when indicated) and Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP; group version) plus TAU on SI was compared to TAU alone in a prospective, bi-center, randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 106 outpatients with chronic depression. ResultsMultivariate regression analyses revealed different results, depending on whether SI was assessed via self-report (Beck Depression Inventory suicide item) or via clinician rating (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale suicide item). Whereas significant reduction of SI emerged when assessed via clinician rating in the MBCT and CBASP group, but not in the TAU group while controlling for changes in depression, there was no significant effect of treatment on SI when assessed via self-report. LimitationsSI was measured with only two single items. ConclusionsBecause all effects were of small to medium size and were independent of effects from other depression symptoms, the present results warrant the application of such psychotherapeutical treatment strategies like MBCT and CBASP for SI in patients with chronic depression.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Depression and Anxiety in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome.

Objective. Little research has been done regarding the role of psychotherapy in the treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on the PMS symptoms and depression and anxiety symptoms in women with PMS. Design. In a randomized controlled trial, a total of 60 students at Mazandaran University with mild to moderate PMS who had depressive symptoms (Beck depression scores 16–47) were randomly allocated to either an experimental (n = 30) or a control (n = 30) group. The experimental group received MBCT in eight group sessions (120 min each) over 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. All participants completed the Premenstrual Assessment Scale (PAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at the beginning and the end of the study. Repeated-measure ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Results. At the end of study, the experimental and control groups showed the following scores, respectively (mean ± SD): depression, 15.73 ± 6.99 and 25.36 ± 7.14; anxiety, 16.96 ± 7.78 and 26.60 ± 9.38; and total PAS, 42.86 ± 8.02 and 58.93 ± 8.47. MBCT improved depression and anxiety symptoms and total PAS score. Conclusion. MBCT intervention is acceptable and potentially beneficial in women with PMS symptoms. Psychotherapy should be considered as a treatment option for mild to moderate PMS in women with depressive symptoms.

Meta-Analysis of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Decreasing Symptoms of Acute Depression

We implemented a meta-analysis of randomized trials to estimate the treatment effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a group format compared to no treatment or alternative group interventions. We inspected moderators of effect size and estimated treatment effects over time across 31 studies with yielded mean effect sizes revealing large and medium effects for no treatment and alternative treatment comparisons, respectively. Moderator analyses revealed differential models for explaining variations in treatment effects related to age, percentage of men in studies, domicile, study setting, and type of alternative treatment comparison. Implications for group work and limitations of this study are discussed.

Relapse prevention in major depressive disorder: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus an active control condition.

We evaluated the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) versus an active control condition (ACC) for depression relapse prevention, depressive symptom reduction, and improvement in life satisfaction. Ninety-two participants in remission from major depressive disorder with residual depressive symptoms were randomized to either an 8-week MBCT or a validated ACC that is structurally equivalent to MBCT and controls for nonspecific effects (e.g., interaction with a facilitator, perceived social support, treatment outcome expectations). Both interventions were delivered according to their published manuals. Intention-to-treat analyses indicated no differences between MBCT and ACC in depression relapse rates or time to relapse over a 60-week follow-up. Both groups experienced significant and equal reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in life satisfaction. A significant quadratic interaction (Group × Time) indicated that the pattern of depressive symptom reduction differed between groups. The ACC experienced immediate symptom reduction postintervention and then a gradual increase over the 60-week follow-up. The MBCT group experienced a gradual linear symptom reduction. The pattern for life satisfaction was identical but only marginally significant. MBCT did not differ from an ACC on rates of depression relapse, symptom reduction, or life satisfaction, suggesting that MBCT is no more effective for preventing depression relapse and reducing depressive symptoms than the active components of the ACC. Differences in trajectory of depressive symptom improvement suggest that the intervention-specific skills acquired may be associated with differential rates of therapeutic benefit. This study demonstrates the importance of comparing psychotherapeutic interventions to active control conditions.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS): Results from a randomized controlled trial with 1 year follow-up

ObjectiveMultiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a medically unexplained condition characterized by symptoms from multiple organ systems following the perception of common odorants. The condition can cause severe functional impairment for afflicted individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for individuals with MCS. MethodsThe intention-to-treat sample (ITT) included 69 individuals who had been randomized to either MBCT or treatment as usual (TAU). The primary outcome measure was the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), which measures the following aspects of MCS: impact of MCS on daily life, symptoms, and reactions following chemical exposures. Secondary outcome measures included the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) and the anxiety and depression subscales of the symptom checklist 92 (SCL-92). Participants were assessed at baseline and post treatment, and at follow-up periods of 6- and 12-months. ResultsWe found no effect of MBCT on the primary outcome, nor did we find an effect on levels of depression or anxiety. We did, however, find positive changes in illness perceptions, which were sustained at 12-month follow-up. Dropout rates were low, suggesting MBCT was well received and regarded as an acceptable intervention by individuals with MCS. ConclusionsOverall, these results suggest that MBCT does not change overall illness status in individuals with MCS, but that MBCT positively changes emotional and cognitive representations. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.

PWE-057 Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease: the results from a pilot randomised control trial

Introduction Due to the relapsing nature of the disease, rates of anxiety and depression among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are higher than in the general population. Prolonged effect of such comorbidities has been associated with poorer quality of life (QoL) and exacerbation of IBD symptoms. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based psychological group program designed to help manage stress and depressive symptoms in depressed patients, however, no previous randomised controlled trial (RCT) has tested its possible effects on IBD patients. Aim The aim of this study was to pilot the MBCT program with IBD patients and evaluate the feasibility of conducting a larger RCT testing the effectiveness of MBCT on depression and anxiety for IBD patients. Method IBD patients from gastroenterology outpatient clinics at two Scottish NHS Boards were randomly allocated to MBCT intervention group (n = 22) or wait-list control group (n = 22). Both groups completed a baseline, post intervention and six months follow up assessments. A post intervention survey was conducted to assess the acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures for IBD patients. Primary outcome was to assess feasibility and acceptability of MBCT intervention. Secondary outcome was to assess any mean differences between baseline and each of the 2 subsequent visits between the groups on depression, anxiety, quality of life, mindfulness and disease activity scores. Results 53 (15%) IBD patients responded to the invitation to participate in the study. 44 (83%) of respondents were eligible and consented to participate in the study. The main reason for ineligibility was active disease symptoms, planned surgery and incompatibility with group schedule. 24 (56%) completed post intervention and follow up data. Participant survey indicated that trial procedures, including recruitment, randomisation and research instruments were acceptable. At post intervention and follow up, depression (F=3,975, p = 0.027), trait anxiety (F=3,286, p = .048) and dispositional mindfulness (F=3,998, p = 0.034) scores showed significant improvement in the MBCT group when compared to the control. Conclusion The results from this trial suggest that conducting a full scale RCT testing the effectiveness of MBCT program for IBD patients is both feasible and acceptable. Improvement in depression, trait anxiety and dispositional mindfulness scores are promising when coupled with patients reporting perceived improvement of their quality of life. Disclosure of interest None Declared.