Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptom Improvement Following Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in a General Hospital Setting

Background: GAD symptom complaints are common in general medical settings, yet psychosocial intervention options provided within such settings are limited. Randomized controlled trials have found that MBSR is effective for symptom reduction, but such research typically delivered MBSR to small diagnostically homogeneous patient groups rather than to larger heterogeneous groups as provided in medical settings.

Objective: The current research examined what proportion of patients already enrolled in a general hospital MBSR program presented with symptoms of GAD and whether such symptoms reduced after delivering MBSR in large diagnostically heterogeneous groups.

Methods: Twenty-six (40%) of 65 participants enrolled in a large hospital MBSR program indicated moderate to severe GAD symptom severity at the first MBSR session. Of these, 19 voluntarily completed brief self-report measures at the beginning and end of their MBSR course.

Results: Statistically significant reductions pre to post-MBSR were found on the GAD-7 (Cohen’s d = 1.95), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Cohen’s d = 0.76) and the DASS21 Anxiety (Cohen’s d = 0.71) and Stress (Cohen’s d = 1.31) scales. Fifteen (79%) GAD participants scored below the GAD-7 screening measure cutoff at the final MBSR session. Forty-seven percent showed clinically significant improvement on PSWQ scores.

Conclusions: MBSR, as typically delivered in general hospital settings, may provide an acceptable and effective treatment option for GAD patients seeking care in medical settings.