Mindfulness in mood and anxiety disorders: a review of the literature

A review of 16 articles on mindfulness-based therapies for mood and anxiety disorders found that mindfulness is an effective treatment strategy. The reviewed studies included mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and approaches addressing fear of negative appraisal and emotional regulation. Mindfulness proved effective across varied therapy formats, including virtual modalities. The field continues to expand its use of mindfulness in scientific models.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to conduct a review of the literature covering the use of different mindfulness-based therapy approaches in treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, including mindfulness skills and mindfulness linked to emotional regulation and fear of negative appraisal. Methods A review was conducted of literature identified by searching the scientific databases PubMed and PsycINFO with the following keywords: mindfulness, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. The search covered the past 10 years. The search returned 532 articles, 24 were selected, their full texts were read, and 16 were included in this review. Results Six articles about mindfulness-based stress reduction, four about mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and three about fear of negative appraisal and emotional regulation were reviewed. All of the articles covered mindfulness in relation to mood and anxiety disorders. Conclusions The literature in this field suggests that mindfulness is an effective strategy for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders and is effective in therapy protocols with different structures including virtual modalities. Use of mindfulness in scientific models continues to expand.