Long-term effectiveness of the Mindful Self-Compassion programme compared to a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction intervention: a quasi-randomised controlled trial involving regular mindfulness practice for 1 year.
Antonio L Crego, José Ramón Yela, María Ángeles Gómez-martínez, Elena Sánchez-zaballos, Aitor Vicente-Arruebarrena
Frontiers in Psychology 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1597264 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 170 |
| Population | General population individuals (75.9% female) |
| Interventions | Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 1-year follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindful self-compassion Mindfulness-based stress reduction Longitudinal research Mental health Psychological flexibility Quasi-rct |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | MSC and MBSR trainings both produced sustained improvements in anxiety, depression, perceived stress, affect, and psychological flexibility compared with a control group over one year. |
Abstract
This study compares the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programme with the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a well-established intervention, and a control group, and includes 1 year of continuous practice. A longitudinal quasi-RCT was conducted with measurements at baseline, post-training, 6 months and 1 year. A total of 170 individuals (75.9% female) were randomly assigned to the MSC (n = 48) and MBSR (n = 65) groups, with a non-fully randomised wait-list CG (n = 57). Using intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis strategies, results consistently indicated that standard 8-week MSC and MBSR trainings produced benefits on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect, as well as on variables related to psychological flexibility, compared with CG. These gains were maintained over a year of continuous practice in both training groups. Overall, the two programmes, MSC and MBSR, showed a similar trajectory over the measurement periods. The 8-week MSC programme and the regular practice of mindfulness and self-compassion appear to be an effective intervention for promoting mental health in the general population, with benefits similar to those derived from the practice of exercises from well-known mindfulness programmes such as MBSR.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Rethinking Practice in Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Theoretical Model of How Formal Practice, Informal Practice, Practice Quality, and Dispositional Mindfulness Interact Over Time Qeios September 30, 2026
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based nursing management intervention programme on compassion fatigue, resilience, and social support among oncology nurses: a randomised controlled trial with mediating role of physiological biomarkers. BMC Nursing April 18, 2026
- Frequent loving kindness meditation relates to lower anxiety in long term practitioners through higher self compassion and cognitive flexibility. Scientific Reports March 29, 2026
Cites 18
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- The Age‐Well randomized controlled trial of the Medit‐Ageing European project: Effect of meditation or foreign language training on brain and mental health in older adults Alzheimer's & Dementia 2018
- Zen meditation, Length of Telomeres, and the Role of Experiential Avoidance and Compassion Mindfulness February 22, 2016
- Compassion and Loving-Kindness Meditation: An Overview and Prospects for the Application in Clinical Samples Harvard Review of Psychiatry July 1, 2018
- Effect of an 18-Month Meditation Training on Regional Brain Volume and Perfusion in Older Adults JAMA Neurology October 10, 2022
and 13 more in the library