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The effects of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy on patients with chronic anxiety and depression – a pilot study

Esser, Julia (2012) The effects of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy on patients with chronic anxiety and depression – a pilot study.

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Abstract:Despite the fact that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be evidently effective in managing affective disorders, a substantial number of patients struggle with residual symptoms and become long term patients in mental health organizations. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Teasdale, Segal, & Williams, 1995) is a group treatment derived from a synthesis of cognitive therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and colleagues. Because of its special characteristic, namely, focusing less on control of psychological distress but emphasizing the acceptance of these private events, this new intervention MBCT is assumed to be well suited to be added to existing psychotherapeutic protocol. This study was conducted to get an idea of the effect of MBCT in treating patients with chronic/recurrent depression and/or anxiety disorder in the mental health organization “Dimence” in The Netherlands, Overijssel. In a pilot study with seven participating patients with chronic/recurrent depression and/or anxiety disorder, levels of symptoms, well-being, acceptance and mindfulness were measured before treatment, after three introduction sessions and the end of the eight sessions MBCT. Finally, an evaluation questionnaire was administered. Data was analyzed using individual analysis of reliable change (RC) (Jacobson & Truax, 1991). The aim of the present research was to analyze whether Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)(a) affects the depressive symptoms of the target group and significantly decreases symptomatology, (b) affects the anxious symptoms of the target group and significantly decreases symptomatology, (c) promotes the mental health of the target group, (d) fosters acceptance as an alternative strategy to experiential avoidance, and (e) promotes mindfulness of the target group at “Dimence”.Furthermore acceptability and feasibility of the training were evaluated. These analyses served to emerge recommendations toimprove the training by approaching the needs of the target group. This pilot study provides sustainable evidence of the effect of MBCT as a tool to treat patients with chronic anxiety and depression at the mental health organization “Dimence” in Overijssel. The mediating effect of acceptance in fostering well-being and reducing affective symptoms can be supported by this study as well. These results are particularly promising, given the chronic nature of the disorders of the participants. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the training was very well- accepted by the target group.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/62433
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