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Effects Of Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) On The Psychological Health Of Adolescents With Subthreshold Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jia-Yuan Zhang, Xiang-Zi Ji, Li-na Meng, Yun Cai

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment September 1, 2019 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s216401 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed
Sample size 56
Population Adolescents with sub-threshold depression
Intervention Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
Duration 8-week intervention, 3-month follow-up
Topics Depression Meditation
Key findings A tailored 8-week MBSR intervention significantly decreased depression and rumination and increased mindfulness in adolescents with sub-threshold depression, with effects lasting at three-month follow-up.

Abstract

Background: Sub-threshold depression (SD) has been associated with impairments in adolescent health which increase the rate of major depression. Researchers have shown the effectiveness of mindfulness on mental health, however whether the traditional mindful skills were suitable for youngsters, it was not clear. This study investigated the effects of a tailed Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on their psychological state.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out. 56 participants who met the inclusion criteria agreed to be arranged randomly to either the MBSR group (n=28) or the control group (n=28). Participants in MBSR group received a tailored 8-week, one time per week, one hour each time group intervention. The effectiveness of intervention was measured using validated scales, which including BDI-II, MAAS, RRS at three times (T1-before intervention; T2-after intervention; T3-three months after intervention). A repeated-measures analysis of variance model was used to analyze the data.

Results: The results showed significant improvements in MBSR group comparing with control group that depression level decreased after the 8-week intervention and the follow up (F =17.721, p < 0.00). At the same time, RRS score was significantly decreased at T2 and T3(F= 28.277, p < 0.00). The results also showed that MBSR promoted the level of mindfulness and the effect persisted for three months after intervention (F=13.489, p < 0.00).

Conclusion: A tailored MBSR intervention has positive effects on psychology health among SD youngsters, including decrease depression and rumination level, cultivate mindfulness.