Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness ofa group stress reduction program based on mindfulness meditation for patients with anxiety disorders. Method: The 22 study participants were screened with a structured clinical interview and found to meet the DSM-IH-R criteria for generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Assessments, including self-ratings and therapists' ratings, were obtained weekly bef ore and during the meditation-based stress reduction and relaxation program and monthly during the 3-month follow-up period. Results: Repeated measures analyses ofvariance documented significant reductions in anxiety and depression scores after treatment for 20 of the subjects-changes that were maintained at follow-up. The number of subjects experiencing panic symptoms was also substantially reduced. A comparison of the study subjects with a group ofnonstudy participants in the program who met the initial screening criteria for entry into the study showed that both groups achieved similiar reductions in anxiety scores on the SCL-90-R and on the Medical Symptom Checklist, suggesting generalizability of the study f indings. Conclusions: A group mindfulness meditation training program can effectively reduce symptoms ofanxiety and panic and can help maintain these reductions in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Cognitive Based Therapy on the Dysfunctional Beliefs and the Social Appraisal of Patients with Cancer and Changes in Physical Appearance

“…According to the above discussion, many scholars reported the effectiveness of mindfulness-based exercises in changing thinking patterns or individuals' attitudes towards their thoughts. Kabat-Zinn et al (17) also noted that nonjudgmental observation of pain and concern-related thoughts can help people understand that they are just thoughts and not accurate representations of realities. Patients who understand that negative thoughts formed due to changes in appearance do not correctly reflect realities are less worried about others' social appraisal of their appearance and abilities.…”

“…The MBCT dealt with educations in main areas such as establishing communication, primary orientation, the nature of cancer, changes in physical appearance and their types, irrational beliefs and cognitions, four steps of mindfulness and giving homework assignments. These materials were given to patients in a booklet and taught to them by an instructor (17). All educational sessions were held through group counseling and in a workshop-like manner in Shahid Ghazi hospital, Tabriz, Iran, under the supervision of MSc holder in clinical psychology.…”

A Brief History of Mind-Body Medicine

“…The intervention is typically an 8-week program that focuses on mindfulness training, as described earlier in this paper. The research has examined the effect of this training on the subjective experience of pain, ability to relax, regulation of immune function, ability to cope with stress, medical symptoms, immune function, mood disturbances, anxiety, and depression, among other factors (Kabat Zinn, 1985;Kabat Zinn 1992;Davidson et al, 2003).…”

Mindfulness, Relaxation and Other Stress Relief Techniques

“…"Mindfulness" is another general, but comparatively a better option for relaxation, which is defined by Kabat-Zinn et al [6] as "paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. It brings one's attention to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment.…”