Mindfulness versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The Effectiveness of Group Mindfulness Meditation versus Individual CBT
Mindfulness meditation in a group setting has been shown to be just as effective as individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients dealing with depression and anxiety, as per a recent study conducted by Lund University in Sweden and Region Skåne.
This study is the first of its kind to compare the outcomes of group mindfulness treatment and individual CBT for patients with depression and anxiety within primary health care settings.
Professor Jan Sundquist and his team carried out the study at 16 primary health care centers in Skåne, a county in southern Sweden. They provided training to two mindfulness instructors from different professional backgrounds at each health care center through a 6-day training program.
In the spring of 2012, patients with depression, anxiety, or severe stress reactions were randomly assigned to either structured group mindfulness treatment with approximately 10 patients per group or standard treatment (primarily individual CBT). Patients were also given a personalized training plan and asked to document their exercises in a diary.
The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. General practitioner and mindfulness instructor Ola Schenström developed the mindfulness training program and instructor training model.
A total of 215 patients took part in the study. Before and after the treatment period, patients in both the mindfulness and standard treatment groups completed questionnaires assessing the severity of their depression and anxiety symptoms.
Self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased in both groups over the 8-week treatment period, with no significant difference observed between the two treatment approaches.
Jan Sundquist explains, “The findings of this study suggest that group mindfulness treatment, led by certified instructors in primary health care settings, is just as effective as individual CBT for addressing depression and anxiety.”
He adds, “This indicates that group mindfulness therapy could be a viable alternative to individual psychotherapy, especially in primary health care settings where not everyone can receive individual therapy.”
The Center for Primary Health Care Research is a joint initiative between Lund University and Region Skåne.
Publication:
Mindfulness group therapy for primary care patients with depression, anxiety, stress, and adjustment disorders: A randomized controlled trial – Jan Sundquist, Åsa Lilja, Karolina Palmér, Ashfaque A. Memon, Xiao Wang, Leena Maria Johansson, Kristina Sundquist – British Journal of Psychiatry, published online on November 27, 2014