Study on meditation for mild to moderate depression

This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of a mind-body program called Meditation Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) for outpatients with mild or moderate depression.

The program takes a person-centered, lifestyle modification approach to mental health care that integrates mindfulness, spirituality, and ethical aspects of yoga philosophy.

The study involved 25 outpatients undergoing psychiatric treatment and assessed depressive symptoms, mindfulness, spirituality and eudaemonic well-being at baseline and post-intervention.

Results showed that 75% of participants completed at least six sessions and were highly compliant with the program. Qualitative analysis revealed that participants found the ethical aspects of yoga inspiring and reported lower emotional distress, greater self-confidence and self-acceptance.

Quantitative analysis revealed a clinically significant decrease in depressive symptoms, an increase in eudaemonic well-being and an improvement in mindfulness scores.

Overall, MBLM proved to be a highly acceptable and feasible program for outpatients with mild to moderate depression, providing a holistic approach to mental health care with potential benefits for the prevention and treatment of mental illness and comorbidities in patients with chronic somatic illness.