On mindfulness trait. Acceptance and commitment therapy versus a mindfulness-based emotional regulation intervention in anxiety disorders. A randomized controlled trial: the rem-act study.

Introduction: The third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies use different techniques to promote lasting changes regarding mindfulness as a trait. However, there are very few studies comparing various mindfulness-based interventions. This is the first study to compare two mindfulness-based interventions on this trait in patients with mixed anxiety disorders. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) versus a Mindfulness-based Emotional Regulation (MER) intervention on mindfulness trait. Methods: This study was carried out in a Mental Health Unit (Colmenar Viejo, Madrid). Firstly, 52 adult patients with anxiety disorders were randomized according to the score on the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (blocking factor), of whom, 39 patients decided to participate (Mean age = 42.38; S.D. = 11.71; 21-63 years). Each intervention was weekly, during 8 weeks, guided by two Clinical Psychology residents. A 2x2 mixed ANOVA (pre-post change x intervention type) was conducted, with Sidakcorrection post hoc tests. The dependent variable was the total score on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Results: Normality and homoscedasticity assumptions were verified. No statistically significant interaction effect was observed. A main effect pre-post change was statistically significant [F(1, 30) = 22.84, p = 0.00, partial eta-squared = 0.43, statistical power observed = 99.6%]. Both interventions increased similarly, with a large effect size, mindfulness trait after treatment. Conclusions: These preliminary results show that mindfulness dispositional improves similarly and greatly after both interventions. Therefore, these findings indicate that mindfulness can be cultivated with different techniques beyond the meditation practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]