Mindfulness training accelerates anxiety and depression relief via enhanced psychological resilience
World Journal of Psychiatry June 30, 2026 Ling Zhu, Lu-Yao Ji, Chao Shi et al.
Mindfulness training combined with usual care reduced anxiety and depression more than usual care alone in a randomized trial of 133 patients with anxiety or depression symptoms. After eight weeks, the mindfulness group scored lower on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (20.88 vs 25.95) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (21.24 vs 26.37) and higher on mindfulness and resilience measures. Psychological resilience partially mediated the improvements, accounting for about 10% of the anxiety reduction and 19% of the depression reduction. The results suggest mindfulness works both directly and by strengthening resilience, supporting its use as an add-on treatment.