Authors: (including presenting author): :
CHAN H W(1), CHAN W K(2), CHAO Y W(2), CHAN K L(3)
Affiliation: :
(1) Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
(2) Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Mary Hospital
(3) Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction: :
Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are very prevalent in China, both are among the top ten causes of disease burden worldwide. Individuals may consider psychotherapy instead of pharmaceutical treatment due to possible medication side effects and dependence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven to be effective in managing mood disorders, however, merely employing CBT might not be comprehensive. There is a growing interest in studying mood disorders management using mind-body interventions (MBIs); examples include mindfulness meditation and health qigong, which represent two distinct approaches with the emphasis on mind-based practice and body-based movement practice respectively. The evidence of psychological health and mood symptoms outcomes brought about by combining CBT with these two different forms of MBIs is worthy of further investigation.
Objectives: :
To investigate treatment outcome and related intervention processes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) versus health qigong-based cognitive therapy (HQCT) versus waitlist control (WC) among individuals with mood disorders in a Chinese context in Hong Kong.
Methodology: :
A total of 187 individuals with mood disorders were randomized and allocated into MBCT, HQCT, or WC groups. All participants were assessed at three time points with regard to depressive and anxiety symptoms, physical and mental health status, perceived stress, sleep quality, and self-efficacy. Linear mixed models analysis was used to test the individual growth model by studying the longitudinal data.
Result & Outcome: :
MBCT and HQCT both produced greater improvements on all outcome measures as compared with WC. Relatively, more reductions of mood symptoms were observed in the HQCT group as compared with the MBCT group. HQCT is more conducive to physical health status whereas MBCT has more favorable mental health outcomes. Individual growth curve models indicated that an alteration in perceived stress was the common predictor of mood changes in both intervention groups. The predominant emphasis on physical health in HQCT makes it more acceptable and effective than MBCT as applied in Chinese individuals with mood disorders. The influence of Chinese culture is discussed.
