Group-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Reduce Psychological Distress and Improve Sleep in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (MindIBD).
Milou M Ter Avest, Marloes J. Huijbers, Carmen S Horjus, Tessa E H Römkens, Ellen M Witteman, Willemijn A van Dop, Martin Dresler, A Rogier T Donders, Gerard Dijkstra, Loes H C Nissen, Anne E. M. Speckens
Inflammatory bowel diseases July 14, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaf116 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 142 |
| Population | IBD patients in remission, aged 16 and older, with at least mild psychological distress |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy |
| Duration | 3-month intervention, follow-up at 6, 9, and 12 months after baseline |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Inflammatory bowel diseases Psychological distress Randomized controlled trial Mindfulness therapy Psychological intervention Stress reduction therapy Mental health therapy Ibd Chronic inflammatory conditions Gut health Digestive disorders Psychological well-being Emotional health Quality of life Sleep quality Distress alleviation Rct Clinical trial Medical research Evidence-based study |
| Citations | 6 |
| Registration | NCT04646785 |
| Key findings | MBCT plus treatment as usual reduced psychological distress and improved well-being compared to treatment as usual alone, with some effects on sleep and inflammation markers. |
Abstract
Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from psychological distress, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and a reduced quality of life-even during remission. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has been effective in other populations, and therefore it may also benefit IBD patients. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of MBCT plus treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing psychological distress compared to TAU alone. This multicenter randomized controlled trial study included IBD patients in remission, aged 16 and older, who experienced at least mild levels of psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ≥ 11). Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention (3 months), and at 6, 9, and 12 months after baseline. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04646785. A total of 142 participants were allocated to MBCT + TAU (n = 70) or TAU alone (n = 72). Group-delivered MBCT significantly reduced psychological distress (d = -0.61) and improved well-being (d = 0.40) post-intervention, with consolidation of the effects over time. Exploratory objective sleep metrics (ie, electroencephalography) showed a reduction in total sleep time (d = 0.67) after MBCT with an increase in the proportion of deep sleep (d = 0.70). While flare occurrence showed no difference, fecal calprotectin levels reduced in the MBCT + TAU group over the follow-up period (d = -0.49). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy can be considered a valuable addition to the limited effective psychosocial interventions set for IBD patients, as it reduces psychological distress and improves well-being. This study also shows the possible impact of MBCT on biological processes, such as sleep and inflammation.
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
Cited by 3
- Acceptability and Feasibility of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study Mindfulness August 14, 2026
- Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of an App-Based Mindfulness Breast Care Program for Reducing Body Image Distress and Stigma Among Survivors of Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research April 24, 2026
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for perceived stress and psychosomatic symptoms in Chinese adolescent girls: a mixed-methods school-based study of parent and teacher perceptions. BMC Psychology October 14, 2025
Cites 16
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
- Dreamento: an open-source dream engineering toolbox for sleep EEG wearables SoftwareX December 1, 2023
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in reducing psychological distress and improving sleep in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (MindIBD). BMC Psychology June 19, 2023
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in inflammatory bowel disease: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research June 2023
and 11 more in the library