The effect of a six-week focused meditation training on depression and anxiety symptoms in Brazilian university students with 6 and 12 months of follow-up.
M. Carpena, P. Tavares, C. Menezes
Journal of Affective Disorders March 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.126 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | University students |
| Intervention | focused meditation training |
| Duration | 6-week intervention, 6- and 12-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Meditation training reduced depression and anxiety symptoms, but reductions were maintained only among those who continued practicing. |
Abstract
Background: Evidence shows high prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among university students. This study investigated whether a meditation-based program would help reducing these symptoms in this population.
Methods: Non-randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a six-week focused meditation training on depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) outcomes among university students. Participants were allocated into a meditation or waiting list control group. Assessment occurred pre and post intervention and only for the meditation group at 6 and 12 months follow-up. General linear model for repeated measures evaluated the intervention effect considering group and time factors, controlling for minor psychiatric disorders, gender and absence at meetings.
Results: The meditation group presented a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms after intervention compared to controls. Among the meditation group, depression (at 6 months follow-up) and anxiety (at 6 and 12 months follow-up) scores were lower for those who continued practicing.
Limitations: Non-randomization and absence of daily practice record (precluding dose-response gradient evaluation).
Conclusion: The meditation training was effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, but the maintanance of these reductions only occurred for those who continued meditating. Permanent meditation programs may be an alternative for promoting mental health for university students.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- USING BREATHING AND MEDITATIVE TECHNIQUES TO DEAL WITH UNCERTAINTY AND ANXIETY: A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Society Register April 6, 2020
- Neural mechanisms underlying the depression-reducing effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction in university students: A Rs-fMRI study. Biological Psychology 2026
- Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Intervention on Depressive Symptoms in Emerging Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2022
- The Effect of meditation in combination with psychotherapy in the context of PTSD. An explorative qualitative study
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