Mindfulness group therapy in primary care patients with depression, anxiety and stress and adjustment disorders: randomised controlled trial

Jan Sundquist; Åsa Lilja; Karolina Palmér; Ashfaque A Memon; Xiao Wang; Leena Maria Johansson; Kristina Sundquist

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.150243

Mindfulness group therapy in primary care patients with depression, anxiety and stress and adjustment disorders: randomised controlled trial

Br J Psychiatry. 2015 Feb;206(2):128-35. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.150243. Epub 2014 Nov 27.

Authors

Jan Sundquist¹, Åsa Lilja¹, Karolina Palmér¹, Ashfaque A Memon¹, Xiao Wang¹, Leena Maria Johansson¹, Kristina Sundquist¹

Affiliation

¹ Jan Sundquist, MD, PhD, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden and Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;Åsa Lilja, PhD, Karolina Palmér, Msci, Ashfaque A. Memon, MD, PhD, Xiao Wang, MD, PhD, Leena Maria Johansson, MD, PhD, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Kristina Sundquist, MD, PhD, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden and Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

PMID: 25431430
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.150243

Abstract

Background: Individual-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is in short supply and expensive.

Aims: The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to compare mindfulness-based group therapy with treatment as usual (primarily individual-based CBT) in primary care patients with depressive, anxiety or stress and adjustment disorders.

Method: This 8-week RCT (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01476371) was conducted during spring 2012 at 16 general practices in Southern Sweden. Eligible patients (aged 20-64 years) scored ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, ≥7 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale or 13-34 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (self-rated version). The power calculations were based on non-inferiority. In total, 215 patients were randomised. Ordinal mixed models were used for the analysis.

Results: For all scales and in both groups, the scores decreased significantly. There were no significant differences between the mindfulness and control groups.

Conclusions: Mindfulness-based group therapy was non-inferior to treatment as usual for patients with depressive, anxiety or stress and adjustment disorders.

Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adjustment Disorders / therapy*
Adult
Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
Depressive Disorder / therapy*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mindfulness*
Primary Health Care
Psychotherapy, Group*
Stress, Psychological / therapy*
Young Adult

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01476371