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An Uncontrolled Clinical Trial of Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy (GRMT) in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

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Abstract

Guided respiration mindfulness therapy (GRMT) is a manualized intervention that synthesizes a sustained focus on self-regulation of respiration, mindfulness, and relaxation. In our previous publication (in Lalande et al. J Contemp Psychother 46(2):107–116, 2016) we reported an evaluation of a manual-based GRMT therapist training program for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Here we report the outcomes of the manualized treatment program for depression and anxiety with clients. Forty-two participants with a primary diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder participated in an uncontrolled clinical trial evaluating treatment response using standardised outcome measures with data collected on a session-by-session basis. For the majority of participants, treatment led to statistically and clinically significant reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, along with reduced anxiety sensitivity and increases in overall wellbeing. Results suggested GRMT shows promise as an effective brief treatment option that does not rely on cognitive or behavioural techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Buddhist Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan

    Lloyd Lalande

  2. School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Robert King & Robert D. Schweitzer

  3. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Matthew Bambling

Authors
  1. Lloyd Lalande
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  2. Robert King
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  3. Matthew Bambling
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  4. Robert D. Schweitzer
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Lalande, L., King, R., Bambling, M. et al. An Uncontrolled Clinical Trial of Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy (GRMT) in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety. J Contemp Psychother 47, 251–258 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-017-9360-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-017-9360-0

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