Long Term Depressed Mood
Conditions
Brief summary
This study examined whether meditation or group psychotherapy including hypnosis plus education, compared to an educational control, would ameliorate long-term depressed mood.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALmeditation plus education
BEHAVIORALgroup psychotherapy with hypnosis plus education
BEHAVIORALeducation
Sponsors
Stanford University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
* Currently meeting DSM-IV criteria for a chronic depressive disorder, with the requirement that depressive symptoms had to have lasted for at least 2 years without a remission of 2 months or more. * Being 18 years of age or older. * Being sufficiently proficient in English to be able to participate in group therapy. * Being able to attend weekly meetings at Stanford.
Exclusion criteria
* Concurrent bipolar disorder or severe depressive disorder (this latter was determined in supervision for the SCID interviews). * Presence or history of psychosis. * A current primary diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or PTSD. * A current primary diagnosis of drug or alcohol dependency or abuse (within the last 3 months). * Serious suicidal risk, as defined by: * Current suicidality, i.e., beyond simple ideation (e.g., making threats or attempts; gathering means; has a plan); OR * Serious prior attempts (bodily harm; gathered means; hospitalization). * Has a significant medical condition that could interfere with participation in meditation/yoga. * Current participation in psychotherapy or a meditation group. * Has started (or changed level or type of) prescribed antidepressant medication or St. John's Wort in the previous 3 months.
Outcome results
None listed