The effect of 20-minute mindful breathing exercise on psychological well-being in epilepsy: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
Kheng-Seang Lim, Si-Lei Fong, Xuen Yu, Ying-Huan Lim, Kian-Yong Wong, Siew-Tim Lai, Chong-Guan Ng, Chong-Tin Tan, Seng Beng Tan
Epilepsy & Behavior June 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109778 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | People with epilepsy |
| Intervention | Mindful breathing exercise |
| Dose | 20-minute session, twice weekly for two weeks |
| Duration | 2-week intervention, 4-week follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Epilepsy Randomized control trial |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | A 20-minute mindful breathing exercise improved depression and quality of life in people with epilepsy at two weeks, with quality of life benefits persisting at four weeks. |
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are prevalent in epilepsy patients, but psychiatric or psychological services may not be accessible to all patients. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the 20-minute mindful breathing on the psychological well-being of PWE using an instructional video. This was a pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received a guided video and was briefed to perform the exercise twice a week for two weeks while the waitlist control group only received the video upon completion of the study. The subjects were assessed at three-time points (T0: Baseline, T1: 2 weeks after the intervention, T2: 4 weeks after intervention), using the Neurological Disorders Depression Index (NDDI-E), General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Twenty patients were recruited, with 10 in the intervention and waitlist-control groups. Compared with the waitlist-control group, participants in the intervention group showed significant improvement in NDDI-E at T1 (p = 0.022) but not at T2 (p = 0.056) and greater improvement in GAD-7 at T1 and T2 but not statistically significant. The QOLIE-31 overall score in the intervention group has significantly improved at T1 (p = 0.036) and T2 (p = 0.031) compared to the waitlist-control group. For MAAS, the intervention group also had an increased score at T2 (p = 0.025). The 20-minute mindfulness breathing exercise has an immediate effect in improving depression and quality of life among people with epilepsy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Combined Liuzijue and mindful breathing promote greater sustained relaxation than mindful breathing alone in university students with anxiety symptoms Frontiers in Psychology July 13, 2026
- Effectiveness of meditation in the management of epilepsy: An updated mini systematic review of recent findings. Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 1, 2026
- App-based self-guided mindfulness training for adults with epilepsy: a six-week single-arm feasibility study. Epilepsy & Behavior February 3, 2026
Cites 7
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of current depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis Cognitive Behaviour Therapy February 8, 2019
- Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial among University Students Healthcare December 22, 2022
- Mindfulness-based interventions in epilepsy: a systematic review BMC Neurology March 20, 2017
and 2 more in the library