Mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation as standardized session‐introduction in individual therapy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThere is scarce research on the effects of mindfulness in individual therapy. As many practitioners integrate mindfulness exercises into individual therapy, empirical evidence is of high clinical relevance.MethodWe investigated the effects of a session‐introducing intervention with mindfulness elements (SIIME) in a randomized, controlled design. The effects of SIIME on therapeutic alliance and symptomatic outcome were compared with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and treatment‐as‐usual (TAU) control conditions. The sample comprised 162 patients with anxiety and depression.ResultsMultilevel modeling revealed a significant symptom reduction and significant increase of alliance over the course of therapy. There were no significant time–condition interactions on outcome and alliance, indicating the comparable efficiency of all three treatment conditions.ConclusionsWe found no advantage of SIIME versus PMR and TAU. Add‐on mindfulness might not improve individual therapy related to alliance and outcome.

Associations between mindfulness and general change mechanisms in individual therapy: Secondary results of a randomised controlled trial

“…Hence, the differences between mindfulness and PMR turned out in a more pronounced manner for therapists. In summary, it is important to note that in the main study, the primary outcomes on symptom reduction showed no significant differences between the three study conditions (Mander et al, ). Furthermore, trajectories of alliance effects turned out similarly (Mander et al, ).…”

“…The trial of our paper was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NTC02270073). Details on the original study protocol are published in Mander et al (), and the main results of the current study are published elsewhere (Mander et al, ). Potential participants were screened via clinical telephone interviews based on the SCID to assess anxiety or depressive symptoms.…”

“…First, studies comparing treatment with mindfulness intervention to structurally equivalent active control condition showed no differences in symptom reduction, relapse rates and life satisfaction impugning the contribution of mindfulness components to therapeutic success (Shallcross et al, ). In contrast, a recent meta‐analysis pointed out that stand‐alone mindfulness exercises, even without a larger therapeutic framework, showed small to medium effects on anxiety and depression (Blanck et al, ; Mander et al, ). Further, a study comparing a 5‐min session‐introducing intervention with mindfulness elements with a 5‐min session‐introducing relaxation intervention and treatment as usual in individual therapy found no advantage of add‐on mindfulness exercises related to therapeutic alliance and symptom reduction in 162 patients with anxiety and depression (Mander et al, ).…”

“…In contrast, a recent meta‐analysis pointed out that stand‐alone mindfulness exercises, even without a larger therapeutic framework, showed small to medium effects on anxiety and depression (Blanck et al, ; Mander et al, ). Further, a study comparing a 5‐min session‐introducing intervention with mindfulness elements with a 5‐min session‐introducing relaxation intervention and treatment as usual in individual therapy found no advantage of add‐on mindfulness exercises related to therapeutic alliance and symptom reduction in 162 patients with anxiety and depression (Mander et al, ). So far, a distinct evaluation remains unclear.…”

“…Thus, to address this issue and to reflect therapists’ daily routine implementation more precisely, Michalak et al () called for more research on integrating isolated mindfulness practices. More research is needed to better understand the specific effects of mindfulness exercises on the therapeutic process (Cigolla and Brown, ; Mander et al, ).…”