Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis): An interpretative phenomenological analysis of patients’ experiences
Matthew J Williams, Freda McManus, Kate Muse, J. Mark G. Williams
British Journal of Clinical Psychology January 21, 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8260.2010.02000.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | Participants with severe health anxiety who received MBCT as part of a randomized controlled trial |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy |
| Duration | 3-month follow-up after MBCT course |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Interpretative phenomenological analysis Psychotherapist Cognition Clinical psychology Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Qualitative research |
| Citations | 96 |
| Key findings | MBCT was considered acceptable and beneficial for health anxiety, with participants reporting improvements and no exacerbation of anxiety from body-focused attention. |
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. Severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis) is a common and disabling condition for which existing psychological treatments have limited effects (Thomson & Page, 2007). Hence, it is a priority to examine both the efficacy and acceptability of new psychological treatments for health anxiety. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of participants with severe health anxiety who received Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as part of a randomized controlled trial. DESIGN. Semi-structured interviews were carried out 3 months after participants completed MBCT in order to explore their experiences of the course and subsequent self-managed practice. METHODS. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1996) was used to analyze interview transcripts from nine participants who had received MBCT. RESULTS. Two main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) My awareness of barriers to experiencing change through MBCT, and (2) Cultivation of a new approach to health anxiety and my life in general. CONCLUSIONS. The majority of participants considered MBCT to be an acceptable and beneficial treatment for health anxiety. Participants reported beneficial impacts of MBCT both on their health anxiety and on their broader functioning. Importantly, the focusing of attention upon bodily sensations required in MBCT practice did not exacerbate participants' health anxiety.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Zen Meditation for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, and Psychological Distress Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 1, 2012
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- A randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus unrestricted services for health anxiety (hypochondriasis). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 18, 2012
- Exploring Buddhism as a ‘Tool’ to Support Well-Being: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Western Adopters’ Experiences Pastoral Psychology July 14, 2021
- Character Strengths in the Context of Christian Contemplative Practice Facilitating Recovery from Alcohol Misuse: Two Case Studies Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health July 3, 2015
and 11 more in the library
Cites 12
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care BMC Psychiatry April 7, 2006
- A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression British Journal of Medical Psychology June 1, 2001
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Evaluating current evidence and informing future research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2007
- A randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus unrestricted services for health anxiety (hypochondriasis). Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 18, 2012
and 7 more in the library