Meditation with yoga, group therapy with hypnosis, and psychoeducation for long-term depressed mood: a randomized pilot trial.
Lisa D Butler, Lynn C Waelde, T Andrew Hastings, Xin-Hua Chen, Barbara Symons, Jonathan Marshall, Adam Kaufman, Thomas F Nagy, Christine Blasey, Elizabeth O Seibert, David Spiegel
Journal of Clinical Psychology July 2008 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20496 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Individuals with long-term depressive disorders |
| Intervention | psychoeducation alone |
| Duration | 9-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Significantly more meditation-with-yoga participants achieved remission than controls at 9-month follow-up, while hypnosis participants also showed remission but not significantly more than controls. All groups reported some symptom reduction with no significant between-group differences, and the authors suggest these interventions show promise for low- to moderate-level depression. |
Abstract
This randomized pilot study investigated the effects of meditation with yoga (and psychoeducation) versus group therapy with hypnosis (and psychoeducation) versus psychoeducation alone on diagnostic status and symptom levels among 46 individuals with long-term depressive disorders. Results indicate that significantly more meditation group participants experienced a remission than did controls at 9-month follow-up. Eight hypnosis group participants also experienced a remission, but the difference from controls was not statistically significant. Three control participants, but no meditation or hypnosis participants, developed a new depressive episode during the study, though this difference did not reach statistical significance in any case. Although all groups reported some reduction in symptom levels, they did not differ significantly in that outcome. Overall, these results suggest that these two interventions show promise for treating low- to moderate-level depression.
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 11
- A mindful yoga intervention for young women with major depressive disorder: Design and baseline sample characteristics of a randomized controlled trial International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research February 17, 2020
- Pranayama: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science for Holistic Well-Being Contemporaneity of English Language and Literature in the Robotized Millennium June 20, 2026
- Meditation for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review RAND Corporation eBooks 2015
- Mindful yoga intervention as add-on to treatment as usual for young women with major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 2022
- A Pilot Study of a Meditation and Mindfulness Program with Detained Juveniles: An Adaptation of Inner Resources for Teens (IRT) Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice 2020
and 6 more in the library
Cites 5
- 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
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
- An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care BMC Psychiatry April 7, 2006
- Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on medical and premedical students. Journal of Behavioral Medicine December 1998