Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness in patients with schizophrenia

Psychiatry research
May 1, 2019
Kun-Hua Lee
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdultAgedDepressionDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMindfulnessSchizophreniaSchizophrenic PsychologyTreatment OutcomeYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations22
Citations/Year3.7
Relative Citation Ratio1.90
NIH Percentile72.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.20
Normalized Score0.61
Related Supplements