Mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy versus traditional cognitive behavioral group therapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) with cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for reducing social anxiety symptoms in individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
Results Summary
Both MAGT and CBGT were more effective than the control group in reducing social anxiety symptoms, with no significant differences between the two therapies. Secondary outcomes, such as mindfulness and acceptance, also showed similar improvements in both treatment groups.
Population
Individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (N = 137, mean age = 34 years, 54% female, 62% White, 20% Asian).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Treatment duration not explicitly stated, but assessments were conducted at baseline, midpoint, completion, and 3-month follow-up.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) | decrease | social anxiety symptom severity | individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) | - | more effective than the control group | #1 |
cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) | decrease | social anxiety symptom severity | individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) | - | more effective than the control group | #2 |
mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) | no change | social anxiety reduction | individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) | - | not significantly different from one another | #3 |
cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) | no change | social anxiety reduction | individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) | - | not significantly different from one another | #4 |
mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) | no change | most other variables assessed | individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) | - | not significantly different from one another | #5 |
cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) | no change | most other variables assessed | individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) | - | not significantly different from one another | #6 |
UNLABELLED: Recent research has supported the use of mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) with cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) with respect to outcome. It was hypothesized that MAGT and CBGT would both be superior to a control group but not significantly different from one another. METHOD: Individuals (N = 137, mean age = 34 years, 54% female, 62% White, 20% Asian) diagnosed with SAD were randomly assigned to MAGT (n = 53), CBGT (n = 53) or a waitlist control group (n = 31). The primary outcome was social anxiety symptom severity assessed at baseline, treatment midpoint, treatment completion, and 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness, acceptance, and rumination. Depression, valued living, and group cohesion were also assessed. RESULTS: As hypothesized, MAGT and CBGT were both more effective than the control group but not significantly different from one another on social anxiety reduction and most other variables assessed. CONCLUSIONS: The present research provides additional support for the use of mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments for SAD, and future research should examine the processes by which these treatments lead to change.