A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness in patients with schizophrenia
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) could mitigate negative and positive symptoms, general psychopathology, and depression in schizophrenia patients.
Results Summary
MBI reduced the severity of negative symptoms and general schizophrenic psychopathology but did not affect positive symptoms or depression. No long-term effects on negative symptoms were observed.
Population
60 schizophrenia patients
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Post-course and 3-month follow-up (exact intervention duration not specified)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | decrease | severity of positive schizophrenia symptoms | - | - | frequently used to attenuate | #1 |
mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) | decrease | negative symptoms | schizophrenia patients | - | mitigated the severity of | #2 |
mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) | decrease | general schizophrenic psychopathology | schizophrenia patients | - | mitigated the severity of | #3 |
mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) | no change | positive symptoms | schizophrenia patients | - | did not find effect on | #4 |
mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) | no change | depression | schizophrenia patients | - | did not find effect on | #5 |
mindfulness | no change | negative symptoms | schizophrenia patients | - | did not find long-term effect of | #6 |
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is frequently used to attenuate the severity of positive schizophrenia symptoms; however, few studies have focused on attenuating negative symptoms. Recently, researchers have become interested in the effects of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on schizophrenia, but the lack of evidence-based results from random clinical trials (RCTs) has limited their effectiveness. Moreover, longitudinal data must be examined using appropriate study designs. We recruited 60 schizophrenia patients and randomly assigned them to an MBI or to a treatment-as-usual group. Negative symptoms, positive symptoms, mindfulness, and depression were assessed at baseline, post-course, and at a 3-month follow-up. Descriptive analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to examine the effects of MBI. We found that MBI mitigated the severity of negative symptoms and of general schizophrenic psychopathology except for the positive symptoms and for those of depression. Unexpectedly, we did not find long-term effect of mindfulness on negative symptoms. Larger sample sizes, long-term practical course, more rigorous study procedures, and a double-blind design should be considered in future studies.