Mindfulness improves negative psychotic symptoms through reducing emotional and social withdrawal.
Carmen Borrás-sansaloni, Marina Ricco-Pérez, Antoni Mayol, Capilla Navarro-Guzmán, José Manuel García-montes, Emilio Lopez-Navarro
World Journal of Psychiatry April 19, 2025 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i4.103362 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People experiencing psychosis |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based intervention Integrated rehabilitation treatment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Clinical trial Emotional withdrawal Psychosis Schizophrenia Social functioning |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based intervention added to integrated rehabilitation treatment reduced emotional withdrawal and social withdrawal, while integrated rehabilitation alone did not improve these negative symptoms. |
Abstract
Psychotic disorders are characterized by both positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative symptoms (emotional blunting, anhedonia) that impair daily functioning. While antipsychotic drugs and psychological interventions are effective when addressing positive symptoms, treatment of negative symptoms remains an ongoing challenge. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to reduce negative psychotic symptoms. However, as negative psychotic symptoms are assessed as a sole entity rather than a sum of manifestations, the effect of MBIs remains unclear. To examine the effects of MBI in addition to integrated rehabilitation treatment (IRT) for people experiencing psychosis on each of the negative psychotic symptoms. A randomized controlled clinical trial with preintervention and postintervention measures was designed. The main outcome variable was negative psychotic symptoms assessed through the seven subscales of the Spanish version of the positive and negative syndrome scale. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance and reliable change index calculation. There were no statistical differences between groups at the preintervention assessment. Statistically significant differences were found after MBI for the time in emotional withdrawal (F = 37.75, P < 0.001, η 2 = 0.437) and social withdrawal (F = 37.75, P < 0.001, η 2 = 0.437). MBI added to IRT reduced the lack of interest and involvement with affective commitment to daily life activities, and interest and engagement in social activities increased. These negative psychotic symptoms were not improved by IRT alone.
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
Cites 5
- Mindfulness for psychosis: Current evidence, unanswered questions and future directions Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice June 30, 2023
- Mindfulness: Why it may work and why it is sure to succeed Behavioral Psychology/Psicología Conductual April 1, 2022
- Mindfulness and Behavior Change Harvard Review of Psychiatry November 1, 2020
- Experimental Phenomenology in Mindfulness Research Mindfulness February 1, 2020
- Mindfulness training reduces loneliness and increases social contact in a randomized controlled trial Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences February 11, 2019