2 - (SYM 22 ) A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial of Short-term Mindfulness-based Training for Depressive Inpatients in China

Mindfulness-based training (MBT) has been effectively applied to decrease the recurrence rate for depressive patients in full or partial remission. However, there is a lack of evidence of MBT for the people in the current episode, especially depressive inpatients. Although the antidepressant intervention is the prior option in the acute phase, the MBT still has the potential to reduce depressive symptoms rapidly and increase cognitive function, as an adjunctive therapy. This presentation describes:

1. An intensive short-term mindfulness-based skills training program was conducted for depressive inpatients in the mood inpatient department in China. The control group was given psychological education and relaxation skill training (RST).


2. Preliminary results from this pilot randomized clinical trial of the protocol.

All the participants in this study were randomized into two groups. The MBT members were given a step-by-step self-guided manual for a two-week training, including: (a) reading materials about background knowledge of MBT; (b) classic mindfulness practice like mindfulness breathing, body scanning; (c) audio or video materials for the instruction or demonstration for each practice; (d). notes and self-report for each post-practice recording.(e) the dairy and total time of mindfulness practice for the adherence assessment. The RST group also got a handbook on relaxation training. The clinical and the main demographic variables were matched for both groups. Before the training, each participant was given an extra 50min individual session for learning the basic mindfulness or relaxation skill and the guide for using the manual. All the training materials were created by a team consisting of a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, and a therapist with a mindfulness-training background. Both groups were assessed at pre- and post-treatment, including depression, anxiety, mood state, rumination, mindfulness skills, sustained attention, and vigilance. The time by group interaction was calculated for the treatment effect. Further outcomes will be presented.