Feasibility study of an embodied and embedded mindfulness- and compassion-based intervention for non-suicidal self-injury disorder.
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies September 1, 2025 Emma Schmelefske, Megan Per, Leena Anand et al.
An embodied and embedded mindfulness and compassion treatment (EEMCT) for people who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) was tested for feasibility and acceptability in six participants attending eight weekly two-hour group sessions. Quantitative results supported acceptability, but mixed results were found for feasibility. Participants reported benefits such as learning self-kindness and awareness of thoughts and feelings, and suggested improvements like more take-home practice material and shorter meditations. Clinically meaningful reductions in anxiety occurred from pre-intervention to post-intervention and to six-month follow-up; some participants also showed meaningful decreases in depressive symptoms and emotion regulation difficulties from pre-intervention to follow-up. The results suggest EEMCT may be helpful and acceptable, but more research is needed.