A Chinese Chan-based mind-body intervention for patients with depression

Agnes S. Chan, Queenie Y. Wong, Sophia L. Sze, Patrick P K Kwong, Yvonne Ming Yee Han, Mei Chun Cheung

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Given the recent growing interest and encouraging findings in studies of alternative treatments for depression, the present randomized controlled trial study aimed to compare the effect of a newly developed Chinese Chan-based Dejian Mind-Body Intervention (DMBI) with the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on improving depressive symptoms in patients with depression. Methods: Seventy-five participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to receive either 10-session CBT or DMBI, or placed on a waitlist. Pre-post measurements included record of anti-depressants treatment, ratings by psychiatrists who were blinded to the experimental design and self-report on mood measures, and performance in a cognitive test tapping concentration ability. Results: Both the CBT and DMBI groups demonstrated significantly reduced overall depressive syndrome after intervention at large effect size (0.93-1.10). Furthermore, the DMBI group (p<0.05), but not the CBT or waitlist groups, demonstrated significant reduction in intake of anti-depressants, and significant improvement in specific depression-related symptoms including difficulty in concentration (p=0.002), and problems in gastrointestinal health (p=0.02) and overall sleep quality (p<0.001). Limitations: This study has provided some evidence for the short-term effect of the DMBI on Chinese population. Its long-term effect on a larger sample and on Caucasian population warrants further investigation. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that a Chinese Chan-based Mind-Body intervention has positive effects on improving mood and health conditions of individuals with depression.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)283-289
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume142
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2012

Keywords

  • Attention
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Depression
  • Mind-Body intervention
  • Mood
  • Somatic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology

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