Detached mindfulness reduced both depression and anxiety in elderly women with major depressive disorders.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether detached mindfulness (DM) could effectively reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in elderly women with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to a control condition.
Results Summary
Symptoms of depression (self and expert-rated) and anxiety significantly declined in the DM group but not in the control group, with effects remaining stable at follow-up. The results suggest DM has a beneficial effect in elderly female patients with MDD.
Population
Thirty-four elderly females (mean age: 69.23 years) with moderate major depressive disorder (MDD) on standard medication (citalopram).
Effective Dosage
Group treatment, twice weekly.
Duration
Four weeks of intervention, with follow-up four weeks later.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
detached mindfulness (DM) | decrease | symptoms of depression (self ratings) | elderly female patients with MDD | - | declined significantly | #1 |
detached mindfulness (DM) | decrease | symptoms of depression (experts' ratings) | elderly female patients with MDD | - | declined significantly | #2 |
detached mindfulness (DM) | decrease | symptoms of anxiety | elderly female patients with MDD | - | declined significantly | #3 |
control condition (with leisure activities) | no change | symptoms of depression | elderly female patients with MDD | - | not in the control condition | #4 |
control condition (with leisure activities) | no change | symptoms of anxiety | elderly female patients with MDD | - | not in the control condition | #5 |
detached mindfulness (DM) | no change | effects | elderly female patients with MDD | - | remained stable | #6 |
We investigated the influence of detached mindfulness (DM) in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety among elderly women. Thirty-four elderly females (mean age: 69.23 years) suffering from moderate major depressive disorders (MDD) and treated with a standard medication (citalopram) at therapeutic doses were randomly assigned either to an intervention condition (DM; group treatment, twice weekly) or to a control condition (with leisure activities, twice weekly). At baseline (BL), four weeks later at study completion (SC), and four weeks after that at follow-up (FU), participants completed ratings for symptoms of depression and anxiety; experts blind to patients' group assignments rated patients' symptoms of depression. Symptoms of depression (self and experts' ratings) and anxiety declined significantly over time in the DM, but not in the control condition. Effects remained stable at FU. The pattern of results suggests that, compared to a control condition, a specific psychotherapeutic intervention such as DM can have a beneficial effect in elderly female patients with MDD.