Mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation as standardized session‐introduction in individual therapy: A randomized controlled trial
Johannes Mander, Paul Blanck, Andreas B. Neubauer, Paula Kröger, Christoph Flückiger, Wolfgang Lutz, Sven Barnow, Hinrich Bents, Thomas Heidenreich
Journal of Clinical Psychology October 8, 2018 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22695 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 162 |
| Population | Patients with anxiety and depression |
| Interventions | Session-introducing intervention with mindfulness elements (SIIME) progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) treatment-as-usual (TAU) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 56 |
| Key findings | Symptoms decreased and therapeutic alliance increased significantly over therapy in all three conditions, but there were no significant time-by-condition interactions, indicating comparable efficiency of SIIME, progressive muscle relaxation, and treatment-as-usual. The authors conclude that SIIME showed no advantage over the comparison conditions and that add-on mindfulness might not improve individual therapy related to alliance and outcome. |
Abstract
Objective: There is scarce research on the effects of mindfulness in individual therapy. As many practitioners integrate mindfulness exercises into individual therapy, empirical evidence is of high clinical relevance.
Method: We investigated the effects of a session-introducing intervention with mindfulness elements (SIIME) in a randomized, controlled design. The effects of SIIME on therapeutic alliance and symptomatic outcome were compared with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and treatment-as-usual (TAU) control conditions. The sample comprised 162 patients with anxiety and depression.
Results: Multilevel modeling revealed a significant symptom reduction and significant increase of alliance over the course of therapy. There were no significant time-condition interactions on outcome and alliance, indicating the comparable efficiency of all three treatment conditions.
Conclusions: We found no advantage of SIIME versus PMR and TAU. Add-on mindfulness might not improve individual therapy related to alliance and outcome.
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 15
- Meditation, mindfulness, and acceptance methods in psychotherapy: A systematic review Psychotherapy Research May 8, 2023
- Emotion Regulation as a Mechanism of Mindfulness in Individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders. Depression and Anxiety 2024
- Effectiveness of mindfulness based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms across mental disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychiatry Research June 1, 2025
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depressive Disorders: Enhancing Access and Tailoring Interventions in Diverse Settings. Advances in experimental medicine and biology 2024
- Mindfulness skills in trainee child and adolescent psychotherapists: Exploring the effects of mindfulness‐based workshops in a mixed‐methods study Counselling and Psychotherapy Research February 7, 2023
and 10 more in the library
Cites 24
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
and 19 more in the library