An Internet-Based Compassion-Focused Intervention for Increased Self-Criticism: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Tobias Krieger, Fabienne Reber, Barbara Von Glutz, Antoine Urech, Christian T Moser, Ava Schulz, Thomas Berger
Behavior Therapy March 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2018.08.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 122 |
| Population | Self-referred adults with increased levels of self-criticism |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based compassionate living (MBCL) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with 6-month postrandomization follow-up |
| Measures | DASS-21, SCS |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Compassion-focused Online intervention Randomized controlled trial Self-compassion |
| Key findings | An online compassion-focused intervention (MBCL) added to care as usual improved depressive, anxiety, and distress symptoms and self-compassion at 8 weeks relative to care as usual alone, with medium to large effect sizes, and these gains were maintained at 6 months. Adherence predicted self-compassion but not symptom improvement. |
Abstract
Increased levels of self-criticism and a lack of self-compassion have been associated with the development and maintenance of a range of psychological disorders. In the current study, we tested the efficacy of an online version of a compassion-focused intervention, mindfulness-based compassionate living (MBCL), with guidance on request. A total of 122 self-referred participants with increased levels of self-criticism were randomly assigned to care as usual (CAU) or the intervention group (CAU + online intervention). Primary endpoints were self-reported depressive, anxiety and distress symptoms (DASS-21) and self-compassion (SCS) at 8 weeks. Secondary endpoints were self-criticism, mindfulness, satisfaction with life, fear of self-compassion, self-esteem, and existential shame. At posttreatment, the intervention group showed significant changes with medium to large effect sizes compared to the control group regarding primary outcomes (Cohen's d: 0.79 [DASS] and -1.21 [SCS]) and secondary outcomes (Cohen's ds: between 0.40 and 0.94 in favor of the intervention group). The effects in the intervention group were maintained at 6-months postrandomization. Adherence measures (number of completed modules, self-reported number of completed exercises per week) predicted postintervention scores for self-compassion but not for depressive, anxiety, and distress symptoms in the intervention group. The current study shows the efficacy of an online intervention with a transdiagnostic intervention target on a broad range of measures, including depressive and anxiety symptoms and self-compassion.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Testing the Efficacy of a Multicomponent, Self-Guided, Smartphone-Based Meditation App: Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Mental Health November 27, 2020
- Effects of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD on self-experience PLoS One January 10, 2024
- Integrating Metta Into CBT: How Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation Can Enhance CBT for Treating Anxiety and Depression Clinical Psychology in Europe September 18, 2019
- Participation in Online Mindfulness was Associated with Improved Self-Compassion and Prosocial Attitudes Mindfulness July 1, 2023
- Self-experience in MDMA assisted therapy of PTSD medRxiv Preprint Server January 3, 2023
and 7 more in the library
Cites 4
- Loving‐Kindness Meditation Effects on Well‐Being and Altruism: A Mixed‐Methods Online RCT Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being June 23, 2016
- The Co-creation and Feasibility of a Compassion Training as a Follow-up to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Patients with Recurrent Depression. Mindfulness 2018
- Working on self-compassion online: A proof of concept and feasibility study. Internet Interventions November 2016
- A Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living Training in a Heterogeneous Sample of Psychiatric Outpatients: a Feasibility Study. Mindfulness 2016