EFFICACY OF MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN REDUCING ANXIETY SYMPTOMS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MBCT AND MBSR

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions, necessitating effective, evidence-based interventions. This study examines the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in reducing anxiety symptoms. Using a pre-post experimental design, 120 participants diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) were randomly assigned to either the MBCT group (n = 40), the MBSR group (n = 40), or a control group receiving no intervention (n = 40). Anxiety levels were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Participants in the MBCT and MBSR groups underwent eight weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes.