Effectiveness of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy in patients with anxiety disorders in secondary‐care settings: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim The primary objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in secondary‐care settings where the vast majority of the patients have already undergone pharmacotherapy but have not remitted. Methods Eligible participants were aged between 20 and 75 years and met the criteria for panic disorder/agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder specified in the DSM‐IV. They were randomly assigned to either the MBCT group (n = 20) or the wait‐list control group (n = 20). The primary outcome was the difference in mean change scores between pre‐ and post‐intervention assessments on the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The outcome was analyzed using an intent‐to‐treat approach and a mixed‐effect model repeated measurement. Results We observed significant differences in mean change scores for the STAI State Anxiety subscale (difference, −10.1; 95% confidence interval, −16.9 to −3.2; P < 0.005) and STAI Trait Anxiety subscale (difference, −11.7; 95% confidence interval, −17.0 to −6.4; P < 0.001) between the MBCT and control groups. Conclusion MBCT is effective in patients with anxiety disorders in secondary‐care settings where the vast majority of patients are treatment‐resistant to pharmacotherapy.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Improving Subjective and Eudaimonic Well-Being in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…There was no significant improvement in some outcomes. In particular, anxiety and negative affect that were demonstrated to be improved by MBIs did not improve in the study (Schumer et al, 2018) (Ninomiya et al, 2019). In a study of Japanese undergraduate students, the mean score (SD) of the SPANE-N was 16.61 (4.87) (Sumi, 2014), which was similar to the results of the present study.…”

A Delphi Study Investigating Clinicians’ Views on Access to, Delivery of, and Adaptations of MBCT in the UK Clinical Settings

“…The majority of comments reflected on the importance of the underlying evidence-base and recognised the complexity involved in decision-making. Clinicians agreed with the delivery of MBCT for populations with the strongest evidence base; specifically, for people with recurrent or current depression (Goldberg et al, 2019;Kuyken et al, 2016;Mackenzie et al, 2018), histories of trauma (Williams et al, 2014), and anxiety and long-term physical health conditions, although there is more evidence for mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR; Kabat-Zinn, 1990) for the latter two populations (Chiesa & Serretti, 2011;Compen et al, 2018;Ninomiya et al, 2020;Rodrigues et al, 2017;Strege et al, 2018). There were some populations for whom clinicians reflected on either their unfamiliarity with or the lack of available evidence-base.…”

Does cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders assist the discontinuation of benzodiazepines among patients with anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment option for anxiety disorders. 23,24 Several guidelines recommend it as a first-line treatment, because of its efficacy in improving anxiety symptoms and minimal adverse effects compared to pharmacological treatments. 13,15,19 In addition, a Cochrane review demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT on BZD discontinuation for long-term BZD users with coexisting anxiety disorders, chronic insomnia, or BZD dependence, at least in the short term.…”

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment option for anxiety disorders 23, 24 . Several guidelines recommend it as a first‐line treatment, because of its efficacy in improving anxiety symptoms and minimal adverse effects compared to pharmacological treatments 13, 15, 19 .…”