A randomized controlled trial on the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and health qigong-based cognitive therapy among Chinese people with depression and anxiety disorders

Abstract

Background The goal of this study was to investigate treatment outcome and related intervention processes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus health qigong-based cognitive therapy versus waitlist control among individuals with mood disorders. Methods A total of 187 individuals with mood disorders were randomized and allocated into mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, health qigong-based cognitive therapy, or waitlist control groups. All participants were assessed at three time points with regard to depressive and anxiety symptoms, physical and mental health status, perceived stress, sleep quality, and self-efficacy. Linear mixed models analysis was used to test the individual growth model by studying the longitudinal data. Results Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and health qigong-based cognitive therapy both produced greater improvements on all outcome measures as compared with waitlist control. Relatively, more reductions of mood symptoms were observed in the health qigong-based cognitive therapy group as compared with the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group. Health qigong-based cognitive therapy is more conducive to physical health status whereas mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has more favorable mental health outcomes. Individual growth curve models indicated that alterations in perceived stress was the common predictor of mood changes in both intervention groups. Conclusions The predominant emphasis on physical health in health qigong-based cognitive therapy makes it more acceptable and effective than mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as applied in Chinese individuals with mood disorders. The influence of Chinese culture is discussed. Trial registration HKU Clinical Trials Registry. Identifier: HKUCTR-2558. Registered 21st Nov 2018.

Mindfulness-Based Strategies for Improving Sleep in People with Psychiatric Disorders

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“…Five studies investigated MBIs for sleep in mixed anxiety/depression groups [60][61][62][63][64]. Most of these studies involved participants with complex comorbidities, including leukaemia [63], cancer survivors [62] and individuals undergoing haemodialysis [60].…”

Effects of mindfulness-based intervention programs on sleep among people with common mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…As a bidirectional relationship has been revealed between sleep disturbance and common mental disorders[ 7 ], it seems that a more integrated approach should be considered in order to enhance robustness of the intervention effects. For instance, the addition of a touch approach[ 31 ], cognitive component[ 50 ] or health qigong[ 72 ] should help in promoting the effectiveness of mindfulness practice, as applied in different clinical populations. Thus, the evolution of various kinds of integrated MBI programs should mark the necessity for meeting the increasing demand of various physical and mental health problems.…”

Literature Review: Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy for Elderly Anxiety

“…Anxiety can be overcome with Mindfulness therapy. This is evidenced by a study conducted by [13] entitled A randomized controlled trial on the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and health qigong-based cognitive therapy among Chinese people with depression and anxiety disorders conducted on 187 people with mood disorders resulted in MBCT & Q-BCT both yielding greater improvement on all outcome measures compared to waiting list controls. Comparatively, more mood reduction symptoms were observed in the Q-BCT group compared with MBCT.…”