Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder and the moderating influence of abuse during childhood: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and assess whether childhood maltreatment moderates its impact.
Results Summary
MBCT significantly reduced worry symptoms more than psychoeducation in GAD patients, while anxiety reduction was similar between groups. MBCT was particularly more effective against anxiety in individuals with a history of childhood emotional abuse.
Population
Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), including subgroups stratified by childhood maltreatment history.
Effective Dosage
8-week intervention (specific session frequency not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | severity of worry | individuals with GAD | - | decreased significantly more | #1 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | severity of anxiety | individuals with GAD | - | decreased to a similar extent | #2 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | severity of anxiety | individuals who had experienced emotional abuse in childhood | - | reduced the severity of anxiety significantly more | #3 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | anxiety | individuals who had experienced emotional abuse | - | was significantly more effective against anxiety | #4 |
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has emerged as a promising intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study evaluated MBCT's effectiveness for GAD and examined whether childhood maltreatment moderates its impact. METHODS: Individuals with GAD were randomized to receive one of two 8-week interventions, either MBCT in-person or psychoeducation on-line (n = 27 per group). At baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, both groups were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Penn State Worry Questionnaire as well as several secondary questionnaires. Changes in the severity of anxiety and worry over time, as determined using linear mixed modeling, were compared between the two groups as a whole and among subgroups stratified according to type of maltreatment in childhood. RESULTS: Among all participants, severity of worry decreased significantly more in the MBCT group than in the psychoeducation group, whereas severity of anxiety decreased to a similar extent in the two groups. Among individuals who had experienced emotional abuse in childhood, MBCT reduced the severity of anxiety significantly more than psychoeducation. In fact, MBCT was significantly more effective against anxiety in individuals who had experienced emotional abuse than in those who had not. CONCLUSIONS: MBCT might be effective in alleviating worry symptoms in GAD, while its effectiveness against anxiety symptoms appears to be influenced by the history of maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2400087188 (Chictr.org).