Study of the effectiveness of mindful sensorimotor interventions in the treatment of abnormal personality patterns leading to depression and anxiety: a mixed-method study

Abstract

Background: Methods of achieving mindfulness have been implemented by slowing down movement, creating stillness, and following the traditional teachings of Buddhism. The long-term effectiveness of traditional mindfulness methods on anxiety and depression has been associated with conflicting results. Recently, bodily, dynamic, and objective interventions while moving and playing on the unconscious and strengthening consciousness for the integration of mind and body have been suggested. Can these therapeutic exercises change the abnormal patterns of an anxious and depressed personality? Aims: This study aimed to study the effectiveness of mindful sensorimotor interventions in treating abnormal personality patterns leading to anxiety and depression in clients seeking psychotherapy. Methods: This research is an explanatory mixed-method study. The first study was a quasiexperimental study with pre-test and post-test. The statistical population of the study was the clients of psychology clinics in Tehran. a sample of 20 (7 women and 13 men) of the clients of a psychology clinic in Tehran responded to Castello-Comrey (1967) anxiety and depression questionnaires before and after eight weeks of mindful sensorimotor interventions (Kashanaki et al., 2021). In the second study, during and after mindful sensorimotor interventions, personality disorders, mental health, and personality traits predicting anxiety and depression in one client were assessed by the SWAP personality test (Shedler and Westen, 2007). Results: The results of a correlated t-test showed that mindful sensorimotor interventions are effective in reducing anxiety (p < 0.00001) and depression (p < 0.05). The second study showed that the patient changes his pathological personality patterns and personality disorder by interventions; this intervention transformed immature defenses into more mature defenses and increased mental health factors in him, which led to a decrease in anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the effectiveness of mindful sensorimotor interventions in reducing anxiety and depression. These challenging interventions and a variety of games are likely to empower and increase the capacity of the mind and body and motivate them to endure anxiety and cope with depression.