Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.
Susan Evans1, Stephen Ferrando, Marianne Findler
1Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, United States. sue2002@med.cornell.edu
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
|September 4, 2007
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) may effectively reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) patients. This approach enhances mindful awareness, offering a potential new treatment avenue for GAD.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Mindfulness Studies
Background:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is effective for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but many patients experience residual symptoms.
- Mindfulness cultivation shows conceptual promise for GAD treatment.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) integrates mindfulness meditation with cognitive strategies, building on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
- To assess the impact of MBCT on anxiety, worry, depressive symptoms, mood states, and mindful awareness in GAD patients.
Main Methods:
- A group MBCT course was administered to eligible subjects at a major academic medical center.
- Measures of anxiety, worry, depressive symptoms, mood states, and mindful awareness were collected at baseline and end of treatment.
- Eleven participants (6 female, 5 male; mean age 49) completed the study.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in anxiety symptoms were observed from baseline to end of treatment.
- Significant reductions in depressive symptoms were observed from baseline to end of treatment.
- Participants showed increased awareness of everyday experiences.
Conclusions:
- MBCT appears to be an acceptable and potentially effective treatment for GAD.
- MBCT may help reduce anxiety and mood symptoms in GAD patients.
- Future research should include a randomized clinical trial to further evaluate MBCT for GAD.
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