Online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an adjuvant-treatment for Chinese patients with psoriasis: A randomized controlled trial
Yan Zhao, Yamei Li, Yunbo Zhang, Mingxin Yan, Qingxuan Du, Jinjin Huang, Fei Li, Dan Han, Yan Huo Zhou
JAAD International February 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdin.2026.02.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 109 |
| Population | Patients with psoriasis |
| Intervention | online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 12-week assessment period |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomized controlled trial Cognition Cognitive therapy Clinical trial Physical therapy Psoriasis |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Adjunctive online MBCT led to improvements in psoriasis severity, depression, quality of life, and itching compared to treatment as usual alone. |
Abstract
Background: Patients with psoriasis often experience emotional distress, which may be alleviated through psychological interventions.
Objective: To evaluate online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as an adjuvant treatment for psoriasis, focusing on severity of lesion, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and itching.
Methods: This randomized trial enrolled 109 patients with psoriasis assigned to either treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus MBCT, which included 8 weekly online sessions. Primary outcomes included Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Itching was a secondary outcome measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Treatment effects were analyzed with mixed linear models.
Results: = .028, d = 0.295). No significant between-group difference was found for anxiety.
Limitations: Single-center.
Conclusions: Adjunctive online MBCT led to improvements in psoriasis severity, depression, DLQI and itching, suggesting its potential to enhance comprehensive psoriasis management.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prophylaxis Current Opinion in Psychiatry December 11, 2015
- A pilot study: mindfulness meditation intervention in COPD International Journal of COPD March 1, 2015
- Comparing impacts of meditation training in focused attention, open monitoring, and mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy on emotion reactivity and regulation: Neural and subjective evidence from a dismantling study Psychophysiology February 19, 2022
- Mindfulness training modifies attentional bias to facial emotion and emotional symptoms. Journal of Psychiatric Research November 1, 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on depression in poststroke patients-A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research October 1, 2022
and 12 more in the library