Mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy versus traditional cognitive behavioral group therapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
Recent research has supported the use of mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to compare mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) with cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) with respect to outcome. It was hypothesized that MAGT and CBGT would both be superior to a control group but not significantly different from one another.


METHODS
Individuals (N = 137, mean age = 34 years, 54% female, 62% White, 20% Asian) diagnosed with SAD were randomly assigned to MAGT (n = 53), CBGT (n = 53) or a waitlist control group (n = 31). The primary outcome was social anxiety symptom severity assessed at baseline, treatment midpoint, treatment completion, and 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness, acceptance, and rumination. Depression, valued living, and group cohesion were also assessed.


RESULTS
As hypothesized, MAGT and CBGT were both more effective than the control group but not significantly different from one another on social anxiety reduction and most other variables assessed.


CONCLUSIONS
The present research provides additional support for the use of mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments for SAD, and future research should examine the processes by which these treatments lead to change.
Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5, Canada. Electronic address: nkocovski@wlu.ca.
Nancy L
NL
Kocovski
Jan E
JE
Fleming
Lance L
LL
Hawley
Veronika
V
Huta
Martin M
MM
Antony
D064869:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); CBT; Mindfulness; Social anxiety disorder; Social phobia