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Mindfulness Groups for Distressing Voices and Paranoia: A Replication and Randomized Feasibility Trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2009

Paul Chadwick*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
Stephanie Hughes
Affiliation:
Bangor University and South Essex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, UK
Daphne Russell
Affiliation:
Bangor University, UK
Ian Russell
Affiliation:
Bangor University, UK
Dave Dagnan
Affiliation:
University of Lancaster, UK
*
Reprint requests to Paul Chadwick, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. E-mail: paul.chadwick@kcl.ac.uk

Abstract

Background: The clinical literature cautions against use of meditation by people with psychosis. There is, however, evidence for acceptance-based therapy reducing relapse, and some evidence for clinical benefits of mindfulness groups for people with distressing psychosis, though no data on whether participants became more mindful. Aims: To assess feasibility of randomized evaluation of group mindfulness therapy for psychosis, to replicate clinical gains observed in one small uncontrolled study, and to assess for changes in mindfulness. Method: Twenty-two participants with current distressing psychotic experiences were allocated at random between group-based mindfulness training and a waiting list for this therapy. Mindfulness training comprised twice-weekly sessions for 5 weeks, plus home practice (meditation CDs were supplied), followed by 5 weeks of home practice. Results: There were no significant differences between intervention and waiting-list participants. Secondary analyses combining both groups and comparing scores before and after mindfulness training revealed significant improvement in clinical functioning (p = .013) and mindfulness of distressing thoughts and images (p = .037). Conclusions: Findings on feasibility are encouraging and secondary analyses replicated earlier clinical benefits and showed improved mindfulness of thoughts and images, but not voices.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2009

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