Feasibility of mindfulness-based therapy in patients recovering from a first psychotic episode: a pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the feasibility, adverse effects, and potential benefits of mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) in individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis.
Results Summary
The study found no significant increase in psychotic symptoms, a decrease in agoraphobic symptoms and psychoneuroticism, but no increase in mindfulness levels. One participant experienced increased distress due to misunderstanding instructions.
Population
Individuals recently recovering from a first episode of psychosis.
Effective Dosage
Eight 1-hour sessions within a 4-week time span.
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | no change | psychotic symptoms | people recently recovering from a first episode of psychosis | no significant change | No significant increase | #1 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | distress | one participant | - | led to an increase | #2 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | no change | intrusive thoughts or visual or auditory hallucinations | participants | - | No increased awareness | #3 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | decrease | agoraphobic symptoms | people recently recovering from a first episode of psychosis | p < 0.028 | found a decrease | #4 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | decrease | psychoneuroticism | people recently recovering from a first episode of psychosis | P < 0.025 | found a decrease | #5 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | no change | psychotic symptoms | patients in this small pilot study | no significant change | had no significant adverse effect | #6 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | no change | level of mindfulness | the participants | - | neither did it raise | #7 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | decrease | psychological symptoms | - | - | A decrease | #8 |
mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) | increase | symptoms of distress | one patient | - | experienced an increase | #9 |
AIM: Recently, a mindfulness therapy for people with psychotic disorders was developed. However, clinicians and researchers are cautious given case reports in which extensive meditation provoked psychotic symptoms in people with a psychotic disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, adverse effects and possible favourable effects of mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) in people recently recovering from a first episode of psychosis. METHOD: A nonrandomized, non-controlled prospective follow-up study. Patients were offered an MBT that consisted of eight 1-hour sessions within a 4-week time span. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Symptoms Checklist 90 and the Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire were assessed before and after the therapy. RESULTS: Of the 16 persons who started MBT, 13 completed (81.5%) the therapy. No significant increase in psychotic symptoms was found. Between two meetings, one participant initially misunderstood the mindfulness instructions, which led to an increase in distress. No increased awareness of intrusive thoughts or visual or auditory hallucinations was reported by participants. We found a decrease in agoraphobic symptoms (p < 0.028) and in psychoneuroticism (P < 0.025). CONCLUSION: The MBT had no significant adverse effect on psychotic symptoms in patients in this small pilot study, neither did it raise the level of mindfulness in the participants. A decrease in psychological symptoms was found, although one patient experienced an increase in symptoms of distress. Our study demonstrates that therapists should be cautious that therapy and practice instructions are understood properly. Future studies are feasible and needed, in larger samples with an RCT design, in order to draw conclusions regarding the effects of the MBT.