Mindful Self-compassion for Anxiety and Depression: Impact of Delivery Method
Mindful Self-Compassion for Anxiety and Depression: A Randomized Comparison of In-Person Versus Videoconference Delivery
Who can join
As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.
- Age
- 18 Years to 65 Years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Compensation
- Not stated
Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.
What to expect
No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.
What participation involves
Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.
- Compensation
- Not stated
- Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
- Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
- Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
- Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.
About this study
In plain language
This study compares an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion course taught in person or by video call. It looks at how each method affects anxiety and depression symptoms in people diagnosed with anxiety disorders or depression. Self-compassion means treating yourself with kindness.
The study will compare the delivery of an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion training, in-person against video-conference, on anxiety and depression symptom severity in patients with diagnosed anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder) or major depressive disorder or dysthymia.
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Who can join
- Currently have anxiety or major depression as your main mental health condition. Listed anxiety disorders include social anxiety, ongoing worry, panic attacks, and agoraphobia (fear of places that feel hard to escape).
- Have a low score on a survey about self-compassion.
- Understand the study and agree to attend all testing visits and take part in the assigned treatment.
- Be able to give informed consent, meaning you understand the study and agree to join.
Who can't join
- Have another mental health disorder besides anxiety or depression, such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, an eating disorder, or a disorder affecting contact with reality. Current post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders in the past 6 months, and developmental or brain-related mental disorders also rule out joining.
- Have a serious health problem that may require surgery or a hospital stay, or a condition the treatment could worsen, such as epilepsy (a seizure disorder). A past head injury that caused a long period of unconsciousness or lasting thinking problems also rules out joining.
- Cannot understand or consent to the study, or cannot follow its rules, including because of planned travel. Personality-related problems that may disrupt participation also rule out joining.
- Take certain mental health medicines, such as barbiturates or antipsychotics. Sleep medicines and some antidepressants are allowed only if the dose has stayed the same for 8 weeks before the starting visit and will stay the same during the study.
- Started talk therapy within 1 month before screening, or receive any ongoing talk therapy aimed specifically at anxiety.
- Completed Mindful Self-Compassion or similar meditation training in the past year.
- Have had serious active thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior in the past year.
- Are pregnant or a prisoner.
Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.
Official eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must have a primary anxiety disorder (social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or agoraphobia) or major depressive disorder, current * Must score low on self-compassion, as measured by the self-compassion scale * Must understand study procedure and willing to participate in all testing visits, and treatment as assigned * Must be able to give informed consent to the study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Comorbid psychiatric disorder other than anxiety or depression, such as psychotic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders (i.e., anorexia and bulimia), bipolar disorder; developmental or organic mental disorders; and current (past 6 months) substance use disorders and current post-traumatic stress disorder as assessed by clinician at screening visit * A serious medical condition that may result in surgery or hospitalization. * A history of head trauma causing prolonged loss of consciousness, or ongoing cognitive impairment * Inability to understand study procedures or informed consent process, or significant personality dysfunction likely to interfere with study participation (assessed during the clinical interview). * Subjects who will be non-compliant with the study procedures. This may include planned travel out of town. * Subjects taking some psychiatric medication such as barbiturates or antipsychotics. Sleep medications and some anti-depressants will be allowed, if the subject has been taken at stable dose 8 weeks prior to baseline and the patient plans to continue at the same dose through the trial. * Concurrent psychotherapy initiated within 1 month of screen interview, or ongoing psychotherapy of any duration directed specifically toward the treatment of anxiety (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). * Individuals who have completed a course of MSC or an equivalent meditation training in the last year. * Individuals reporting significant active suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviors within the past year. * Individuals with a medical condition (i.e., epilepsy) that may be exacerbated by study treatment, as determined by a study physician or nurse practitioner based on history, physical, and/or labs. * Adults unable to consent * Pregnant women * Prisoners
Study sites (1)
DC
- Georgetown University Medical Center · Washington D.C., DC 20007Elizabeth Hoge, MD · Study contact · 202-687-7283 · eah103@georgetown.eduMore trials in Washington D.C.