The effect of mindfulness group therapy on a broad range of psychiatric symptoms: A randomised controlled trial in primary health care
Jan Sundquist, Karolina Palmér, Lars-Åke Johansson, Kristina Sundquist
European Psychiatry February 8, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.328 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 215 |
| Population | Men and women aged 20-64 with depressive, anxiety and/or stress and adjustment disorders in primary care |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based group therapy |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with 8-week follow-up |
| Measures | Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 40 |
| Registration | NCT01476371 |
| Key findings | Both mindfulness-based group therapy and treatment as usual (mainly individual cognitive behavioral therapy) produced significant improvements across all SCL-90 subscales and indexes and increased mindful attention awareness, with no significant difference between groups in psychiatric symptom change. The mindfulness group had a somewhat larger improvement on the MAAS, but this was non-significant (P=0.06). The authors conclude both therapies could be used in primary care, with group therapy potentially saving limited resources. |
Abstract
Background: The need for psychotherapy in primary health care is on the increase but individual-based treatment is costly. The main aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to compare the effect of mindfulness-based group therapy (MGT) with treatment as usual (TAU), mainly individual-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), on a broad range of psychiatric symptoms in primary care patients diagnosed with depressive, anxiety and/or stress and adjustment disorders. An additional aim was to compare the effect of MGT with TAU on mindful attention awareness.
Methods: This 8-week RCT took place in 2012 at 16 primary care centres in southern Sweden. The study population included both men and women, aged 20-64years (n=215). A broad range of psychiatric symptoms were evaluated at baseline and at the 8-week follow-up using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Mindful attention awareness was also evaluated using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).
Results: In both groups, the scores decreased significantly for all subscales and indexes in SCL-90, while the MAAS scores increased significantly. There were no significant differences in the change in psychiatric symptoms between the two groups. The mindfulness group had a somewhat larger change in scores than the control group on the MAAS (P=0.06, non-significant).
Conclusions: No significant differences between MGT and TAU, mainly individual-based CBT, were found in treatment effect. Both types of therapies could be used in primary care patients with depressive, anxiety and/or stress and adjustment disorders, where MGT has a potential to save limited resources.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01476371.
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 8
- Positive psychology: mindfulness and its role within mental health nursing British Journal of Mental Health Nursing November 2, 2019
- Effectiveness of mindfulness based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms across mental disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychiatry Research June 1, 2025
- Improving patient-centered mental health promotion in primary care in vulnerable communities through mindfulness training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Frontiers in Medicine 2024
- Meditation and Compassion Therapy in Psychiatric Disorders: A Pilot Study. Cureus July 1, 2024
- Exploring patient experiences with a mindfulness course in a general practice setting: a qualitative study. BMC primary care October 7, 2025
and 3 more in the library
Cites 21
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
and 16 more in the library