Meditation based lifestyle modification (MBLM) in outpatients with mild to moderate depression: A mixed-methods feasibility study.
H. Bringmann, Nicole Bringmann, M. Jeitler, S. Brunnhuber, A. Michalsen, P. Sedlmeier
Complementary Therapies in Medicine November 16, 2020 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102598 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
A new mind-body program called Meditation Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) was tested in 25 outpatients with mild or moderate depression. Twenty patients completed at least six sessions, and adherence was 87.5%. Most participants reported decreased emotional distress, increased self-confidence and self-acceptance, and many found inspiration in the ethical aspects of yoga. Depressive symptoms decreased by 39.23%, and eudaemonic well-being and mindfulness scores increased. MBLM appears to be a feasible and acceptable lifestyle-modifying approach for treating mild to moderate depression.
Study at a glance
| Design | single-arm mixed-methods feasibility study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | outpatients with mild or moderate depression in psychiatric care |
| Key finding | MBLM was highly acceptable and feasible, with clinically important decreases in depressive symptoms and increases in well-being and mindfulness. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrative mental health care can be used to treat depression with a person-centered, lifestyle-modifying, and more salutogenic approach to mental health and human flourishing. In this article, we report on the feasibility and acceptability of a new mind-body program, Meditation Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM), in outpatients with mild or moderate depression. METHODS This is a single-arm mixed-methods feasibility study of n = 25 outpatients in psychiatric care. Depressive symptoms, scores for mindfulness, aspects of spirituality, and eudaemonic well-being based on yoga philosophy were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Adherence was monitored and face-to-face interviews were held after the program to explore the acceptability and feasibility of MBLM. RESULTS Twenty patients (75 %) completed at least six sessions of the course. Adherence was 87.5 % of allocated sessions. In qualitative analysis, more than half of the participants experienced novelty and inspiration through practicing the ethical aspects of yoga (e.g., nonviolence, truthfulness, etc.). Almost all participants experienced a decrease in emotional distress. Virtually all participants reported more self-confidence and self-acceptance. In quantitative analysis, participants reported a clinically important decrease in depressive symptoms of 39.23 % (p = .002), eudaemonic well-being increased significantly in a range of related scales and scores for mindfulness increased (p < .001). CONCLUSION MBLM is a highly acceptable and feasible program for outpatients with mild to moderate depression. This comprehensive, lifestyle-modifying approach is highly relevant to preventing and treating mental illness, and treating psychic comorbidities in patients with chronic somatic illness.