Mindfulness-based interventions for social anxiety disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in alleviating symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Results Summary
MBIs showed no significant difference compared to control groups (g = 0.00) but had a large pre-post effect size (g = 1.20). They were superior to no treatment (g = 0.89), equivalent to specific active treatments (g = -0.19), but less effective than evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (g = -0.29). MBIs also improved depressive symptoms, mindfulness, quality of life, and self-compassion, with effects lasting up to 12 months.
Population
Patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | no change | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = 0.00 | showed that Hedges' g = 0.00 | #1 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = 1.20 | showed a large pre-post effect size | #2 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = 0.89 | were superior to | #3 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | no change | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = -0.19 | equivalent to | #4 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = -0.29 | less effective than | #5 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | depressive symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | - | significantly alleviated | #6 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | mindfulness | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | - | improved | #7 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | quality of life | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | - | improved | #8 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | self-compassion | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | - | improved | #9 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | alleviation of SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | β = 0.659 | showed a dose-response relationship | #10 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = 0.231 | persisted for 12 months | #11 |
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | decrease | SAD symptoms | patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) | g = 0.48 | had a medium effect in alleviating | #12 |
Various psychiatric disorders are treated with mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), although the efficacy of MBIs in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) is unclear. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the efficacy of MBIs on SAD symptoms. Systematic searches were performed in various databases, and 11 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 single-arm trials were identified. The between-groups analysis of the 11 RCTs showed that Hedges' g = 0.00, while the within-group analysis showed a large pre-post effect size (g = 1.20).MBIs were superior to the no-treatment comparator (g = 0.89), equivalent to specific active treatment (g = -0.19), and less effective than evidence-based treatment (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapies) (g = -0.29).MBIs significantly alleviated depressive symptoms and improved mindfulness, quality of life, and self-compassion. Meta-regression analysis showed a dose-response relationship between the alleviation of SAD symptoms and the duration of the MBIs (β = 0.659). Follow-up analysis showed that the effects of MBIs on SAD persisted for 12 months (g = 0.231). An analysis of the 5 single-arm trials found that MBIs had a medium effect in alleviating SAD symptoms (g = 0.48). Future research is needed regarding the design of large RCTs of MBIs on SAD patients.