title: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities: an evaluation of the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a range of health and psychological disorders in adults and young people without intellectual disabilities (ID). Clinical studies are emerging reporting on the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions as a stand-alone treatment for common clinical disorders in adults with ID.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative structured mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) group programme adapted for adults with ID with a diagnosis of either recurrent depression, anxiety or both clinical conditions and a history of deliberate self-harm behaviour. Two groups ran consecutively consisting of a total of fifteen participants and seven carers. All participants were recorded as having either a borderline, mild, or moderate ID. The group programme ran over a period of 9 weeks with a follow-up session at 6 weeks post group intervention. Outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two sub-scales from the Self-Compassion Scale administered at baseline, post therapy and at 6-week follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evaluation showed that participants reported an improvement in their experience of depression, anxiety, self-compassion and compassion for others. The most significant impact was in the reduced levels of anxiety reported. Improvements across all outcomes were maintained at 6-week follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the evaluation suggest that people with intellectual disabilities benefit from a structured MBCT group intervention and the results are maintained at 6-week follow-up.
authors.affiliation: South West Devon Learning Disability Team, Cornwood, Devon, UK.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Idusohan-Moizer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawicka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dendle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albany
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; depression; intellectual disabilities; mindfulness-based interventions; self-compassion