Mindfulness exercises may be as effective as antidepressants in treating anxiety disorders in some cases, new research shows.
The results show how mindfulness meditation could be a useful approach to treating these disorders.
The study presented a course of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques (MBSR). escitalopram – a drug in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, also known as Lexapro, which is considered the gold standard antidepressant – over eight weeks.
Follow-up surveys were conducted up to 24 weeks after enrollment using an assessment called the Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale (CGI-S), measured on a scale of 1 to 7 (where 7 denotes severe anxiety) .
Those who had tried mindfulness saw their scores drop by an average of 1.35 points, while those who received escitalopram saw their scores drop by an average of 1.43 points. In terms of statistical significance, both interventions are on the same level.
“Our study provides evidence that clinicians, insurers, and healthcare systems can recommend, embrace, and reimburse for mindfulness-based stress reduction as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders.” says psychiatrist Elizabeth Hoge from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
208 patients completed the treatment prescribed by the researchers. The mindfulness program consisted of two-and-a-half hour face-to-face classes once a week, with a full-day retreat in the fifth or sixth week. In addition, there were 45 minutes of exercises to do at home every day.
Antidepressants can be helpful in treating anxiety, but they don’t work for everyone; even SSRIs like escitalopram fall just below the norm Used to assess medication adherence, with a significant number of patients not renewing prescriptions. They can also be difficult to obtain and come with side effects such as nausea.
“A major benefit of mindfulness meditation is that it doesn’t require a clinical degree to train someone to become a mindfulness coach.” says Höge. “Additionally, sessions can be conducted outside of a medical facility, such as a school or community center.”
More than 300 million people are thought live with some form of anxiety disorder, making it the most common type of mental disorder currently. The term includes conditions such as agoraphobia and can lead to an increased risk of suicide and disability.
And while having mindfulness programs previously shown to help with anxiety, they have not been directly compared to an antidepressant. These results strongly suggest that MBSR techniques can reduce anxiety by similar levels and provide individuals with tools they can continue to benefit from in the future.
However, the researchers emphasize that mindfulness requires more commitment and time than taking medication. It’s also not clear how effective app-based meditation practices could be without the personal element.
“It’s important to note that while mindfulness meditation works, not everyone is willing to put in the time and effort to successfully complete all required sessions and practice regularly at home, which amplifies the effects.” says Höge.
“Also, virtual delivery via video conferencing is likely to be effective as long as the live components such as question-and-answer periods and group discussions are maintained.”
The research was published in JAMA Psychiatry.
