Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

A randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus unrestricted services for health anxiety (hypochondriasis).

Journal of consulting and clinical psychology
October 1, 2012
Freda McManus et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on health anxiety compared to usual services alone.

Results Summary

MBCT significantly reduced health anxiety compared to usual services, both immediately post-intervention and at 1-year follow-up, with fewer MBCT participants meeting hypochondriasis criteria. Changes in mindfulness mediated symptom improvements.

Population

74 participants with health anxiety (hypochondriasis).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Intervention duration not specified; follow-up at 1 year.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in addition to usual services (unrestricted services)
decrease
health anxiety
participants
Cohen's d = 0.48
significantly lower
#1
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in addition to usual services (unrestricted services)
decrease
health anxiety
participants
d = 0.48
significantly lower
#2
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in addition to usual services (unrestricted services)
decrease
diagnosis of hypochondriasis
participants
50.0% vs. 78.9%
significantly fewer participants allocated to MBCT than to US met criteria for the diagnosis of hypochondriasis
#3
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in addition to usual services (unrestricted services)
decrease
diagnosis of hypochondriasis
participants
36.1% vs. 76.3%
significantly fewer participants allocated to MBCT than to US met criteria for the diagnosis of hypochondriasis
#4
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in addition to usual services (unrestricted services)
decrease
health anxiety symptoms
participants
-
change in mindfulness mediated the group changes
#5
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy and acceptability of existing psychological interventions for health anxiety (hypochondriasis) are limited. In the current study, the authors aimed to assess the impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on health anxiety by comparing the impact of MBCT in addition to usual services (unrestricted services) with unrestricted services (US) alone. METHOD: The 74 participants were randomized to either MBCT in addition to US (n = 36) or US alone (n = 38). Participants were assessed prior to intervention (MBCT or US), immediately following the intervention, and 1 year postintervention. In addition to independent assessments of diagnostic status, standardized self-report measures and assessor ratings of severity and distress associated with the diagnosis of hypochondriasis were used. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (N = 74), MBCT participants had significantly lower health anxiety than US participants, both immediately following the intervention (Cohen's d = 0.48) and at 1-year follow-up (d = 0.48). The per-protocol (PP) analysis (n = 68) between groups effect size was d = 0.49 at postintervention and d = 0.62 at 1-year follow-up. Mediational analysis showed that change in mindfulness mediated the group changes in health anxiety symptoms. Significantly fewer participants allocated to MBCT than to US met criteria for the diagnosis of hypochondriasis, both immediately following the intervention period (ITT 50.0% vs. 78.9%; PP 47.1% vs. 78.4%) and at 1-year follow-up (ITT 36.1% vs. 76.3%; PP 28.1% vs. 75.0%). CONCLUSIONS: MBCT may be a useful addition to usual services for patients with health anxiety.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAnxietyCognitive Behavioral TherapyFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansHypochondriasisMaleMeditationMiddle AgedSeverity of Illness IndexTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations80
Citations/Year6.2
Relative Citation Ratio3.69
NIH Percentile88.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.57
Normalized Score0.70
Related Supplements