Symposium 6th World Congress on Positive Psychology 2019

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy For Patients In Primary Care (#211)

Svala Sigurdardottir 1 , Lisa Buksbaum 2 , Ryan Niemiec 3 , Kathi Normann 2
  1. medicin/public health, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S, Philadelphia, , Pennsylvania, U.S.
  3. VIA Institute on Character, Cincinnati, USA

BACKGROUND: In Britain, MBCT is the recommended choice of treatment for clients showing signs of depression and anxiety without causing any side-effects. The first randomized clinical trial in Iceland on the effects of adding MBCT to the customary treatment used for patients with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety is underway.

PARTICIPANTS: 120 clients, 18-67 years old, with symptoms of mild to moderate  depression and/or anxiety were offered to participate.

PURPOSE AND METHOD: To assess the effects of MBCT as an additional therapy mode to customary medicinal treatment on the symptoms of patients with depression and anxiety and compare them to patients receiving only the customary treatment (CT). In the randomized clinical study underway,  the subjects who agree to participate are randomized into two groups:

  1. Those receiving CT from their GP.
  2. Those receiving MBCT from a psychologist, in addition to CT.

RESULTS: : A comparison of symptoms of anxiety and depression between the two groups will be carried out before and after the MBCT and, in addition, 6 and 18 months afterwards, using GAD7 and PHQ9 questionnaires.

Preliminary results for the first post MBCT measurement will be presented.