Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities: an evaluation of the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety

Abstract:

Background: Mindfulness‐based interventions have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a range of health and psychological disorders in adults and young people without intellectual disabilities (ID). Clinical studies are emerging reporting on the efficacy of mindfulness‐based interventions as a stand‐alone treatment for common clinical disorders in adults withID.

Method: This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative structured mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) group programme adapted for adults withIDwith a diagnosis of either recurrent depression, anxiety or both clinical conditions and a history of deliberate self‐harm behaviour. Two groups ran consecutively consisting of a total of fifteen participants and seven carers. All participants were recorded as having either a borderline, mild, or moderateID. The group programme ran over a period of 9 weeks with a follow‐up session at 6 weeks post group intervention. Outcome measures included theHospitalAnxiety andDepressionScale and two sub‐scales from theSelf‐CompassionScale administered at baseline, post therapy and at 6‐week follow‐up.

Results: The evaluation showed that participants reported an improvement in their experience of depression, anxiety, self‐compassion and compassion for others. The most significant impact was in the reduced levels of anxiety reported. Improvements across all outcomes were maintained at 6‐week follow‐up.

Conclusion: The results of the evaluation suggest that people with intellectual disabilities benefit from a structuredMBCTgroup intervention and the results are maintained at 6‐week follow‐up.