Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Anxiety: A Controlled Trial

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are a prevalent and debilitating mental health concern, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has gained recognition as a promising intervention for managing anxiety symptoms by fostering present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MBSR in reducing anxiety symptom severity compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU) in individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders. A pre-and post-test between-group research design was employed, with 20 participants purposively sampled from the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS-K). Participants were divided into an experimental group (n=10), receiving eight weeks of MBSR therapy, and a control group (n=10), undergoing TAU. Anxiety severity was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), while mindfulness levels were measured via the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Results demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms post-intervention in both groups, with the MBSR group exhibiting greater improvements in mindfulness facets. The findings highlight the potential of MBSR as an effective complementary approach for anxiety management. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is recommended to validate these results.