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Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder and the moderating influence of abuse during childhood: A randomized controlled trial.

Guangzheng Tang, Bijun Chen, Manhua Wu, Lijun Sun, Ruijuan Fan, Rui Hou, Wenshuang Liu, Junjun Kang, Yaoyao Li, Mingxing Wang, Ying Zhang, Ningyan Lu, Wanjun Guo, Yamin Zhang, Xiaojing Li, Wei Wei, Hua Yu, Tao Li

Journal of Affective Disorders June 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.02.103 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 54
Population Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder
Interventions Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Psychoeducation
Duration 8-week intervention
Topics Meditation Anxiety
Keywords Anxiety disorders Child abuse Subgroup analysis
Key findings MBCT reduced worry severity more than psychoeducation overall, and reduced anxiety more than psychoeducation in individuals who had experienced childhood emotional abuse.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has emerged as a promising intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study evaluated MBCT's effectiveness for GAD and examined whether childhood maltreatment moderates its impact. Individuals with GAD were randomized to receive one of two 8-week interventions, either MBCT in-person or psychoeducation on-line (n = 27 per group). At baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, both groups were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Penn State Worry Questionnaire as well as several secondary questionnaires. Changes in the severity of anxiety and worry over time, as determined using linear mixed modeling, were compared between the two groups as a whole and among subgroups stratified according to type of maltreatment in childhood. Among all participants, severity of worry decreased significantly more in the MBCT group than in the psychoeducation group, whereas severity of anxiety decreased to a similar extent in the two groups. Among individuals who had experienced emotional abuse in childhood, MBCT reduced the severity of anxiety significantly more than psychoeducation. In fact, MBCT was significantly more effective against anxiety in individuals who had experienced emotional abuse than in those who had not. MBCT might be effective in alleviating worry symptoms in GAD, while its effectiveness against anxiety symptoms appears to be influenced by the history of maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse. ChiCTR2400087188 (Chictr.org).

Comparable studies

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Study Year Design Participants
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
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Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12

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