Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training in an Individual with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Single-Subject Experiment
Riska Dwi Mitasari, Isrida Yul Arifiana, Ratih Wahyu Saputri
International Journal on Integrated Education August 19, 2026 DOI: 10.31149/ijie.v9i3.5794 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quantitative single-subject experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 21-year-old woman meeting criteria for generalized anxiety disorder |
| Interventions | Breathing meditation body sensation awareness compassionate body scan open awareness acceptance of thoughts and emotions wanting release application of mindfulness in daily life |
| Measures | Observation, interviews, exercise-evaluation sheets, pre-test/post-test measurement |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training was associated with greater awareness of thoughts and emotional responses, more adaptive coping, and reduced intensity of several anxiety symptoms in one participant. Her mindfulness knowledge score increased from 13 to 15 from pre-test to post-test, and breathing meditation was perceived as the most useful technique. The authors suggest structured mindfulness practice may support anxiety self-regulation, though the single-case design limits generalization. |
Abstract
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and difficult-to-control worry accompanied by cognitive, emotional, physiological, and behavioral symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning. Mindfulness training is one psychological approach used to support anxiety management. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness training in reducing GAD symptoms in one individual. A quantitative single-subject experimental approach was employed. The participant was a 21-year-old woman who met the criteria for GAD based on psychological assessment. The intervention comprised breathing meditation, body sensation awareness, compassionate body scan, open awareness, acceptance of thoughts and emotions, wanting release, and the application of mindfulness in daily life. Evaluation used observation, interviews, exercise-evaluation sheets, and pre-test/post-test measurement. The intervention was associated with positive within-subject changes, including greater awareness of thoughts and emotional responses, more adaptive coping, and reduced intensity of several anxiety symptoms. The participant’s mindfulness knowledge score increased from 13 at pre-test to 15 at post-test. Breathing meditation was perceived as the most useful technique because it was easy to practice and produced the clearest relaxation effect. These findings suggest that structured mindfulness practice may support anxiety self-regulation in this participant, although the single-case design limits generalization.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |