The Effects of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Group Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To find the influences of mindfulness and self-compassion-based group therapy and compare them with standard treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: Prospective randomized control trial was conducted on two intervention groups (n=23 for mindfulness and self-compassion group, n=11 for the control group) for seven weeks. Depression-related parameters consisted of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Thai version, Self-Compassion scale-Thai version (Thai-SCS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Thai version (Thai-PSQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Thai version (Thai-HADS), Thai-Perceived Stress Scale-10 (T-PSS-10), Rosenberg self-esteem Thai version, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Thai version, were collected and compared before and after both treatments. Results: Mindfulness and self-compassion had statistically significant improvement of better depressive rating scale, anxiety, mindfulness & self-compassion, perceived stress scale, self-esteem, and quality of life (p<0.001, 0.001, 0.002, <0.001, 0.005 and <0.001, respectively). Depressive level, anxiety level, mindfulness, and self-compassion, perceived stress scale, self-esteem, and quality of life in both groups were also improved. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences when compared to the mean differences between both groups. Conclusion: Mindfulness and self-compassion intervention improved depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and quality of life. Keywords: Mindfulness and self-compassion therapy, Group psychotherapy, Depression, Thai-MADRS, Thai-SCS, Thai-PSQI, Thai-HADS, T-PSS-10, Thai- WHOQOL, Thai-Rosenberg self-esteem, Thai-SCS