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, N. Rector
International Journal of Cognitive Therapy April 20, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s41811-021-00105-x (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 5-week abbreviated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program significantly reduced mood and anxiety symptom severity and increased general well-being in 54 physician-referred, treatment-seeking adults with mood or anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes were generally large, with high response and remission rates. The findings suggest that a shortened MBCT protocol can produce substantial clinical benefits and may improve cost-effectiveness and access to care for anxiety and depression.
Study at a glance
| 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 |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | 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.