Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
January 1, 2015
Stefan G Hofmann, Nicola Petrocchi, James Steinberg et al.
70 citations
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a practice aimed at cultivating unconditional kindness toward oneself and others, was tested as a brief group intervention for people with dysthymia or depression in two small, uncontrolled studies—one in Boston (10 participants) and one in Frankfurt (8 participants). At both centers, LKM was associated with large reductions in self-reported depression symptoms and negative affect, and large increases in positive affect. Clinician ratings also showed large improvements in depression, rumination, and specific positive emotions, with moderate gains in adaptive emotion regulation. Qualitative reports supported the intervention's potential. These proof-of-concept results warrant further controlled investigation.
Harvard Review of Psychiatry
July 1, 2018
Johannes Graser, Ulrich Stangier
67 citations
A review of the evidence for mindfulness-based interventions, compassion-based interventions (CBIs), and loving-kindness meditation (LKM) finds that while mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy are well-supported by many trials, only seven randomized controlled trials have been completed on CBIs and LKM. In those trials, CBIs were effective for psychotic disorders, affective disorders with psychotic features, major depressive disorder, eating disorders, and patients with recent suicide attempts; LKM was effective for chronic pain; and a combination helped borderline personality disorder. Nonrandomized studies suggest CBIs and LKM may also help depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD, but more research is needed to confirm these effects and determine their role as standalone or adjunct treatments.
Mindfulness
October 8, 2021
Ulrich Stangier, Artjom Frick, Isabel Thinnes et al.
11 citations
Combining Loving Kindness group meditation with individual therapy focused on kindness toward oneself and others (metta-based therapy, MBT) reduced depressive symptoms more than a wait list control in patients with chronic depression. Forty-eight patients with persistent depressive disorder were randomly assigned to MBT or a wait list. After group meditation and at 6-month follow-up, MBT showed greater improvements in clinician-rated and self-reported depression, behavioral activation, rumination, social functioning, mindfulness, and emotion regulation, with large effect sizes. Most gains occurred during group meditation and were maintained at follow-up. The results provide preliminary support for MBT's effectiveness.
Verhaltenstherapie
April 1, 2024
Elisabeth A. Arens, Lucas Donnerstag, Stefan G Hofmann et al.
1 citation
A pilot test of a Metta-based group program delivered via video showed that teaching loving-kindness meditation to people with depression is feasible and well accepted. Eight patients with depressive disorder participated in the video-based intervention. Measures of therapeutic relationship quality, method implementation, and acceptance indicated that a sustainable therapeutic relationship could be established, meditation techniques could be taught, and a concentrated working atmosphere was possible. Participants accepted the video-based therapy well, and there were preliminary signs of clinical effectiveness. Further research on what moderates acceptance and effectiveness of video-based therapy is needed.
Trials
January 6, 2020
Artjom Frick, Isabel Thinnes, Ulrich Stangier
A new low-intensity treatment called MeCBT, which combines mindfulness and metta meditation in a group setting with individual cognitive behavioral therapy, is being tested for chronic depression. In a randomized trial with 48 participants, half will receive MeCBT and half will be on a wait list. The treatment includes eight weekly group meditation sessions and a half-day retreat, followed by eight fortnightly individual CBT sessions. Depressive symptoms will be measured before the intervention, after group meditation, after individual CBT, and at a 6-month follow-up for the treated group. The study expects a significant reduction in depressive symptoms after the full treatment compared to the wait-list group.
Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy
January 1, 2016
Johannes Graser, Volkmar Höfling, Charlotte Weβlau et al.
A 12-week group program combining mindfulness exercises from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with compassion exercises from Compassion Focused Therapy and Loving Kindness Meditation reduced depression severity in 11 patients with chronic depression. Symptoms did not change during a 3-month waiting period but significantly decreased after treatment and further improved at a 3-month follow-up, with nearly large effect sizes. Emotion regulation improved, with increased acceptance and decreased suppression of emotions, and rumination about oneself also decreased at follow-up. Compassionate love and mindfulness increased, while no effects were found on self-compassion or self-esteem. The approach may improve treatment options for chronic depression if confirmed by further studies.