THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY IN REDUCING ANXIETY AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS
M. Rofi, Poppy Dewi Ratih, Octarini Prasetyowati
Jurnal Kedokteran dan Kesehatan September 20, 2025 DOI: 10.32539/jkk.v12i3.691 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | One-group pretest-posttest experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Medical students meeting inclusion criteria |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | Eight weekly sessions, each lasting 90 to 120 minutes |
| Measures | Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | HARS anxiety scores fell significantly after eight weekly MBCT sessions in eight medical students (Z = -2.111, p = 0.035). The authors suggest MBCT is an effective approach for reducing anxiety among medical students in higher education. |
Abstract
Anxiety is a common psychological disorder among medical students, marked by chronic apprehension and physiological manifestations including muscle tension, perspiration, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may hinder cognitive performance, academic achievement, and overall psychological resilience, potentially affecting the future proficiency of medical professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in reducing anxiety symptoms among medical students. An experimental research design was used, utilizing a one-group pretest-posttest approach, involving eight participants who met the established inclusion criteria. The intervention consists of eight weekly MBCT sessions, each lasting 90 to 120 minutes. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) before and after the intervention. HARS scores indicated a statistically significant reduction in anxiety level following the MBCT intervention (Z = –2.111ᵇ, p = 0.035). These findings suggest that MBCT serves as an effective therapeutic approach for reducing anxiety among medical students in higher education settings.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |