In Barcelona, Spain, a recent study conducted at the Les Corts Adult Mental Health Center (AMHC) has revealed promising outcomes for patients suffering from anxiety and depression following a group intervention based on Mindfulness. The quasi-experimental study, spearheaded by a team of dedicated nurses and researchers, assessed the effectiveness of this novel therapeutic approach in improving not only mental health symptoms but also patients’ overall quality of life.
The study, “Evaluation of a group intervention based on Mindfulness in patients with anxiety and depression cared for in mental health community center,” published in Enfermeria clinica (English Edition) [Enferm Clin (Engl Ed)], has been a significant addition to the current discourse on mental health practices. It is particularly instructive as it focuses on non-pharmacological interventions in mental health care, an area that is garnering increasing attention from both practitioners and patients seeking alternatives to traditional treatment modalities.
The Intervention
The study outlined a structured group intervention involving 9 weekly sessions, each lasting 75 minutes, and was mediated by two experienced nurses. Each group consisted of 10-15 patients, allowing for an intimate setting conducive to personal attention and group dynamics. The intervention was meticulously designed to incorporate mindfulness principles, including meditation, body awareness, and the cultivation of a non-judgmental attitude towards one’s thoughts and feelings.
Participants and Methodology
A total of 128 participants, predominantly women with an average age of 52.23 years (SD 12.78), were included in the study. The study spanned from March 2015 to December 2019 and enlisted patients over 18 years of age who were experiencing anxiety symptoms (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale >10 points) and had signed informed consent.
The research team utilized a quasi-experimental design with evaluations conducted before and after the intervention. Several parameters were measured, including the severity of anxiety, depressive symptoms (assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory), quality of life (measured through EuroQoL), and adherence to the intervention.
Findings
The pre-post intervention comparisons revealed marked improvements in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and general quality of life (p<0.001), with specific enhancement in the dimensions of anxiety-depression (p=0.003). The results indicate that participants who attended more sessions (average of 6.17 sessions, SD 2.31) showed significantly better outcomes, with a positive correlation between adherence to the intervention and improvement in anxiety (p<0.001) and depressive symptoms (p=0.021). No differences in outcomes were observed between different age groups.
The study’s primary author, Fort-Rocamora Clara C and colleagues, including Casañas Rocío R, Torres-Torres Ana A, Mas-Expósito Laia L, González Maria M, and Carbonero-Judez M Teresa MT, have been recognized for their contribution to the field, recognizing the essential role nurses play in mental health community care.
Implications
This study is of paramount importance because it underscores the effectiveness of mindfulness-based group interventions in a community mental health setting. The gradual yet significant reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms, alongside the improvements in the quality of life for the participants, reinforces the merits of incorporating structured mindfulness programs into mental health services.
Moreover, the findings highlight the crucial factor of intervention adherence, suggesting that sustained engagement in mindfulness practices plays a critical role in achieving optimal mental health outcomes. It opens the door to further exploration of how best to motivate and retain patients in such beneficial programs, adapting them to meet the diverse needs of those affected by mental health issues.
The research has generated significant interest amongst the scientific community and mental health practitioners, with discussions revolving around how mindfulness interventions can be standardized and more widely implemented within mental health services. It also advocates for the integration of such interventions into the nursing curriculum, thereby equipping future nurses with the tools and understanding necessary to administer mindfulness-based therapeutic care.
Copyright Information
The study is registered under the Copyright © 2023 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved, maintaining the intellectual property rights of the work. The DOI for the publication is 10.1016/j.enfcle.2023.11.004, ensuring ease of access and reference within the academic community and beyond.
Keywords
1. Mindfulness intervention
2. Anxiety relief
3. Depression treatment
4. Mental health community care
5. Quality of life improvement
References
1. Fort-Rocamora, C. C., Casañas, R. R., Torres-Torres, A. A., Mas-Expósito, L. L., González, M. M., & Carbonero-Judez, M. T. (2024). Evaluation of a group intervention based on Mindfulness in patients with anxiety and depression cared for in mental health community center: a quasy-experimental study. Enfermeria clinica (English Edition). doi:10.1016/j.enfcle.2023.11.004
2. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Hyperion. ISBN: 978-1-4013-0778-3.
3. Hamilton, M. (1959). The assessment of anxiety states by rating. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 32(1), 50–55.
4. Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychological Corporation.
5. EuroQol Group. (1990). EuroQol – A new facility for the measurement of health-related quality of life. Health Policy, 16(3), 199-208.