Internet-delivered modified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (iMBCT) intervention for perceived stress and emotional distress: A pilot RCT study
Jan Wardęszkiewicz, Paweł Holas
preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3622035/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,348 |
| Population | Distressed individuals from the community |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 30 days |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A 30-day, online, unguided, modified MBCT program (six sessions) significantly reduced perceived stress, anxiety, and depression and increased self-compassion and resilience in distressed community participants, while a waiting-list group showed no changes on any measure. The authors indicate this abbreviated format may be effective for distressed individuals. |
Abstract
Abstract Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing depression relapse and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Preliminary research on the online version of an eight-week MBCT (iMBCT) has shown promising results in decreasing emotional distress, aligning with the positive effects observed in traditional MBCT programs. However, there is a notable gap in our understanding regarding whether the abbreviated form of iMBCT effectively reduces perceived stress and emotional distress. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap. A total of 1,348 distressed individuals from the community participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to 30-day, modified, unguided iMBCT intervention or waiting-list condition (WLC). Our reduced iMBCT consisted of six sessions, each containing guided meditations and psychoeducation recordings and materials. Perceived stress, anxiety, depression, resilience and self-compassion measurements were assessed at baseline and after 30 days of the intervention. At post-test the iMBCT participants showed a significant decrease in perceived stress, anxiety and depression and an increase of self-compassion and resilience. Participants in WLC, contrary, did not manifest any changes over time in any of the measures. Our results indicate that an online, unguided, 30-day MBCT program may be effective for distressed individuals.
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 18
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of current depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis Cognitive Behaviour Therapy February 8, 2019
- Effect of online modified mindfulness-based stress reduction training on the resilience of nursing interns in China. Nursing Open August 2023
- Promoting college students’ mindfulness, mental health, and self-compassion in the time of COVID-19: feasibility and efficacy of an online, interactive mindfulness-based stress reduction randomized trial Journal of College Student Psychotherapy April 10, 2022
and 13 more in the library