The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Treating People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in treating people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Since one of the prominent features of patients with GAD is the sense of worry, and nature of the worry is focused on future. Training in the present moment by mindfulness which is done by a variety of practical exercises, can be therapeutic for people with GAD. This research was accomplished in the framework of single-case experimental design by using the multiple baseline design. Two patients with GAD who entered the program on the basis of inclusion entry and research qualification, were treated by MBCT. To record the severity of the symptoms, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and GAD-7 scale were used. According to the findings of this study, MBCT reduced the severity of GAD symptoms, worry, anxiety and depression scores. Results of this study showed that MBCT, by using various exercises, could improve patients with GAD.