Impact of warm mindfulness on emotion regulation: A randomized controlled effectiveness trial.
Richa Gawande, Lydia Smith, Alexandra Comeau, Timothy B. Creedon, Caitlyn L Wilson, Todd Griswold, Benjamin Le Cook, Eric B Loucks, Zev Schuman-Olivier
Health Psychology July 6, 2023 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001303 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult primary care patients with diagnoses of anxiety, depression, or stress-related disorders |
| Interventions | Mindfulness training for primary care low-dose mindfulness comparator |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 24-week follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Randomized controlled trial Population Mental health Clinical psychology Physical therapy |
| Citations | 21 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training for primary care led to greater reductions in emotion regulation difficulties and higher rates of action plan initiation compared to a low-dose mindfulness comparator. |
Abstract
Objective: To determine the effects of mindfulness training for primary care (MTPC), an integrated warm mindfulness training program, on emotion regulation and its relationship with health behavior change. Interventions that improve self-regulation, particularly emotion regulation, are needed for the self-management of comorbid chronic physical and mental illnesses. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may impact self-regulation and facilitate health behavior change.
Method: A randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial was conducted in a population of adult primary care patients to evaluate the impact of MTPC versus a low-dose mindfulness comparator (LDC) on self-reported difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS) total score and other assays of self-regulation at baseline, Weeks 8 and 24. Self-reported action plan initiation was reported between Weeks 8 and 10. Participants had diagnoses of anxiety, depression, or stress-related disorders. MTPC is an 8-week insurance-reimbursable warm MBI designed to cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion and to catalyze chronic illness self-management related health behavior change.
Results: Compared to LDC, MTPC participants had statistically significant reductions in DERS total score at 8 weeks (d = -0.59, β = -12.98, 95% CI [-23.3 to -2.6]; p = .01) and 24 weeks (d = -0.61, β = -13.35, [-24.3, -2.4]; p = .02). Compared to 38% for LDC, 63% of MTPC participants successfully initiated their action plan within 3 weeks (OR = 2.87, [1.1, 7.9]; p = .04).
Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated MTPC enhanced emotion regulation and facilitated initiation of chronic illness self-management and health behavior change among primary care patients with anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders, replicating previous reports. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).