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A Brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Intervention as a Population-Level Strategy for Anxiety and Depression

Emilee E. Burgess, Steven Selchen, Benjamin D. Diplock, Neil A Rector

International Journal of Cognitive Therapy April 20, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s41811-021-00105-x (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed
Sample size 54
Population Physician-referred, treatment-seeking community adults with mood and/or anxiety symptom burden
Intervention abbreviated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Duration 5-week intervention
Topics Anxiety Depression Meditation
Key points A 5-week abbreviated MBCT intervention produced large reductions in mood and anxiety symptoms and increases in well-being.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as clinically effective interventions for anxiety and depression although there are significant barriers to their access in the general population. The present study examined the effectiveness of a 5-week abbreviated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention for a physician-referred, treatment-seeking, community sample (N = 54) with mood and/or anxiety symptom burden. Treatment effects demonstrated significant reductions in mood and anxiety symptom severity and significant increases in general well-being. Observed effect sizes were generally large, with high response and remission rates. The present study offers preliminary support that an abbreviated MBCT protocol can offer large treatment effects for decreasing mood and anxiety symptoms and could potentially offer an effective population-level strategy to improve cost-effectiveness and access to care.

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