Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress management program as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with anxiety disorder.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a meditation-based stress management program in patients with anxiety disorder.

METHODS:

Patients with anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to an 8-week clinical trial of either a meditation-based stress management program or an anxiety disorder education program. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Symptom Checklist--90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were used to measure outcome at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of the program.

RESULTS:

Compared to the education group, the meditation-based stress management group showed significant improvement in scores on all anxiety scales (HAM-A, P=.00; STAI state, P=.00; STAI trait, P=.00; anxiety subscale of SCL-90-R, P=.00) and in the SCL-90-R hostility subscale (P=.01). Findings on depression measures were inconsistent, with no significant improvement shown by subjects in the meditation-based stress management group compared to those in the education group. The meditation-based stress management group did not show significant improvement in somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and interpersonal sensitivity scores, or in the SCL-90-R phobic anxiety subscale compared to the education group.

CONCLUSIONS:

A meditation-based stress management program can be effective in relieving anxiety symptoms in patients with anxiety disorder. However, well-designed, randomized, and controlled trials are needed to scientifically prove the worth of this intervention prior to treatment.

• Authors: Sang Hyuk Lee, Seung Chan Ahn, Yu Jin Lee, Tae Kyu Choi, Ki Hwan Yook, Shin Young Suh
• Journal: Journal of psychosomatic research (J Psychosom Res) Vol. 62 Issue 2 Pg. 189-95 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 0022-3999 [Print] England
• PMID: 17270577 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Paroxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Sertraline
• Alprazolam

Topics

• Alprazolam (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Anxiety Agents (therapeutic use)
• Anxiety Disorders (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Fluvoxamine (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Meditation
• Paroxetine (therapeutic use)
• Program Development
• Self Care
• Sertraline (therapeutic use)
• Stress, Psychological (diagnosis, prevention & control)
• Surveys and Questionnaires