Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Many patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, as well as patients with schizophrenia go untreated. This is due to a lack of accessible treatment options and the reluctance of patients to engage in face-to-face treatment. Even though cognitive behavioral therapy with stimulus exposure and response prevention is the most effective psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD only a small number of patients actually receive psychotherapy and many therapists trained in cognitive behavioral therapy do not practice evidence-based techniques. A quarter of individuals with OCD fail to initiate cognitive behavioral therapy and another 30% who initiate treatment drop out prematurely, stating fear of engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy as one of the main reasons. The situation is similar for patients with schizophrenia or depression. Even though cognitive behavioral therapy serves as a standard treatment for schizophrenia it is rarely applied, and patients with depression often experience a relapse. Thus alternative and accessible interventions are needed for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and depression. This study investigated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based training in comparison to progressive muscle relaxation, delivered as a bibliotherapeutic self-help approach.
Who can participate?
We are asking volunteers to take part in this research project who have either been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia or depression in the past. Only participants between the age of 18 and 65 are allowed to participate and they should be fluent in German language.
What does the study involve?
You will be asked to take part in two online assessments. The second one is scheduled six weeks after the first. The assessments will include a number of questionnaires. You will be randomly allocated to receive either a manual for mindfulness training or for progressive muscle relaxation training after the first assessment. Both manuals are conceptualized as self-help manuals and are accompanied by (an) audio file(s).
What are the benefits and risks of taking part?
Participants will benefit from the study by receiving two self-help manuals. The results will help to improve treatment for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and depression. There are no risks associated with participation.
Where is the study run from?
This study is run from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From April to May 2013.
Who is funding the study?
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany).
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Dr Steffen Moritz
moritz@uke.de
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Self-help mindfulness training leads to a greater reduction in obsessive-compulsive or psychotic as well as depressive symptoms compared to self-help progressive muscle relaxation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder or schizophrenia
Acronym
Study hypothesis
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by intrusive, recurring and disturbing thoughts causing distress (obsessions) usually followed by ritualized behaviors (compulsions) that are aimed at neutralizing the obsessive content and negative emotions. Schizophrenia is often characterized by abnormal social behavior and failure to recognize what is real including symptoms of false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, auditory hallucinations, reduced social engagement and emotional expression, and inactivity. Both disorders are accompanied by depressive symptoms. Depression is characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood that is accompanied by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities
Participants learning mindfulness will show a greater decrease in obsessive-compulsive, psychotic and depressive symptoms compared to the participants exercising progressive muscle relaxation at the 6 weeks post-assessment. A secondary aim was to assess the hypercorrection bias in psychosis, that is, whether patients with psychosis are less able to correct their judgment in view of counterevidence.
Ethics approval
Ethics Committee of the German Psychological Society, 19/09/2012, ref: SM 09_2012
Study design
Single-center randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Internet
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Condition
Obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, depression
Intervention
We prepared two self-help manuals for the study. Participants were randomized to receive either a manual including a description of mindfulness and exercises or a manual describing progressive muscle relaxation. One of the manuals can be downloaded at the end of the baseline survey and the respective other after the second assessment. Both manuals are available as pdf versions and include audio files giving instructions for the relaxation tasks.
Mindfulness is defined as a process of deliberately focusing attention on the present moment in a non-judgmental and non-reactive way. The mindfulness manual consists of 15 pages and comprises an introduction into the concept of mindfulness and its effectiveness, including ten exercises. Four exercises (e.g. body scan) are accompanied by self-spoken audio files to support participants in performing the tasks.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) according to Jacobson is a standard relaxation procedure. Certain muscle groups are first tensed or tightened and then deliberately relaxed and released of tension. The PMR manual consists of three pages and gives information on the background, the content of the exercises and how to deal with problems that might arise while practicing PMR. An audio-file providing instructions, is also available for download.
Intervention type
Behavioural
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, psychotic symptoms and depressive symptoms as measured with items from: Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Paranoia Checklist and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale at the baseline assessment and post-assessment (6 weeks later)
Secondary outcome measures
1. Feasibility and acceptance of self-help manuals for mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation measured by items asking for use of the manual and number of practice day and subjective appraisal of the manuals
2. We investigated whether schizophrenia patients are less prone to the hypercorrection bias that is commonly observed in nonclinical controls
Overall trial start date
27/03/2012
Overall trial end date
26/07/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Age between 18 and 65
2. Either participants with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression or schizophrenia or healthy participants, who have never been diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder
3. Access to internet
4. Sufficient German language ability
5. Consent to participate in two anonymous (internet-based) surveys that were scheduled 6 weeks apart
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
60 patients with schizophrenia, 60 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and 60 patients with depression
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Lifetime occurrence of a manic episode or diagnosis of bipolar disorder
2. Known neurological disorder (e.g. stroke, MS, epilepsy)
3. Current alcohol or drug dependence
4. Current suicidal ideation or suicidal intent
5. Current severe symptoms of psychosis
Recruitment start date
18/02/2013
Recruitment end date
06/05/2013
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Germany
Trial participating centre
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
-
Germany
Sponsor information
Organisation
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Sponsor details
Martinistr. 52
Hamburg
20246
Germany
Sponsor type
Hospital/treatment centre
Website
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
Funder name
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
To be confirmed at a later date
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not expected to be available
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
2015 results in: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26163302