Impact of One Session of Mindfulness vs. Cognitive Restructuring Skills on Worry and Associated Symptoms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

<p>Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is recognized as an evidenced-based psychological treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Despite proven efficacy of CBT (i.e., large effect sizes), not everyone responds. One promising alternative approach is Mindfulness-based therapy, which has been shown to be effective in preliminary research in GAD. The purpose of this study was to directly compare a brief (1 hour) Mindfulness to CBT intervention to determine efficacy in reducing excessive worry and associated anxiety symptoms in a GAD population. Forty-five participants with a principal diagnosis of GAD were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID-IV) and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Mindfulness, CBT, or Information (control condition). Following the intervention, all participants completed daily practice for one week. Assessment consisted of self-report measures of worry and factors associated with GAD symptoms pre-and post-intervention. Overall findings did not support the main hypothesis that the brief interventions (Mindfulness and CBT) would be associated with a significant reduction in worry compared to the control group. However, group differences on factors associated with GAD were found. Individuals in the CBT condition reported a significant reduction in current level of general anxiety symptoms compared to the Mindfulness and Information conditions. Individuals in both CBT and Mindfulness conditions reported a significant reduction in current stress symptoms compared to the Information condition. In addition the CBT condition also demonstrated a trend for reduction in symptoms of depression compared to both Mindfulness and Information conditions. In summary, although a more intensive intervention may be needed to affect chronic worry, the CBT intervention was associated with greater benefit then the mindfulness intervention and may be useful as a brief pre-treatment intervention for individuals on a waitlist for standard treatment.</p>