The Effectiveness of a Brief Mind-Body Intervention for Treating Depression in Community Health Center Patients

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a brief, 6-week, 1.5-hour mind-body intervention for depression (MBID) in patients being treated for depression in 2 community health centers. DESIGN: The MBID taught techniques such as meditation that elicit the relaxation response (RR) in combination with additional resiliency-enhancing components. Clinical outcomes of 24 depressed patients were measured pre-MBID, at completion of MBID, and 3 months post-MBID, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10), Quality of Life Scale (QoL5), SF-12 Health Survey (SF-12), and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II). RESULTS: Significant post-treatment improvements were shown in depressive symptoms, spiritual growth, mental health, and quality of life, with a median CES-D 10 change from 17.5 (interquartile ratio [IQR] 13.3–22) to 12 (IQR 10–17.5; P<.001); a median HPLP-II Spiritual Growth subscale change from 2.0 (IQR 1.8–2.3) to 2.3 (IQR 2.0–3.0; P=.002) and a median HPLP-II Stress Management sub-scale change from 2.0 (IQR 1.8–2.4) to 2.4 (IQR 2.0–2.9; P=.027); significant improvement in median score on the QoL-5 from 53.3 (IQR 47.5–62.5) at baseline to 63.3 at endpoint (IQR 50–70; P=.008). Three-month follow-up data suggest that the improvement in outcomes were sustained 3 months after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a 6-week RR-based MBID is associated with an improvement in depression, spiritual growth, and mental health among depressed community health center patients.