Effects of a mindfulness based intervention on mental well-being and quality of life in Indian adults: an early attempt for integration into community clinical practice

Background: In India, the burden of mental ill-health is ever increasing. There is an urgent requirement for the implementation of interventions to prevent psychosocial problems from getting manifested as psychiatric diseases. The researchers see potential in mindfulness, an evidence-based group therapy popular in Western countries. This study shares a ground-level experience with an eight-week face-to-face mindfulness-based intervention. The aim was to see the effects of mindfulness on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in Indian adults.Methods: Participants were randomized into two groups (n=74): group M participated in the mindfulness program while group C attended placebo sessions. The Hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS) for anxiety and depression and WHO quality of life (WHO QOL 100) were measured pre-program and post-program. Statistical analysis used was the paired and unpaired t-Test and one-way ANOVA for the outcome variables.Results: The HADS-A (anxiety) and HADS-D (depression) improved with p=0.0001 and p=0.0003 with the practice of mindfulness. In the mindfulness group, domains 1, 2, and 4 of WHO quality of life also improved post-session with p<0.0001 when compared to the control group.Conclusions: Mindfulness improved the anxiety, depression, and quality of life of Indian adults. Mindfulness holds initial promise for integration into community clinical practice. This study being an early attempt, further studies will be needed before widespread implementation in the country.