Anxiety
Mindfulness meditation effective for anxiety – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2011
Norwegian researchers have found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Seventy-six patients were randomised to an eight-week MBSR intervention or a wait-list control. Those who completed treatment (eight did not) improved significantly on all outcome measures compared to controls. MBSR had medium to large effect sizes on anxiety and a large effect size for symptoms of depression, and the effect was maintained at six months follow-up. (Patients with anxiety disorders: evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. Behav Res Ther. 2011 Apr;49(4):281-8).
Yoga reduces anxiety – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2009
Participation in yoga classes can lead to significant reduction in anxiety in women who suffer from anxiety disorders. Sixty-five women suffering from depression and anxiety were randomly assigned to an experimental or control waiting list group. The experimental group participated in twice weekly 90 minute yoga classes for two months. The average prevalence of depression in the experimental group pre- and post-yoga did not decrease significantly, but women who participated in yoga classes showed a significant decrease in state and trait anxiety compared to the control group. (Effects of yoga on depression and anxiety of women. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2009 May;15(2):102-4).
Acupuncture for anxiety – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct 2007
A systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of anxiety disorders has shown positive findings. Authors based at London’s University of Westminster performed searches of the major biomedical databases as well as specialist CAM databases. Twelve controlled trials were located, of which ten were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). All trials reported positive findings, but the reports were found to lack many basic methodological details. Positive findings were reported for acupuncture in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder or anxiety neurosis, however the poor quality of the evidence prevented firm conclusions from being drawn. Limited evidence was also found in favour of auricular acupuncture for perioperative anxiety. Overall, the authors concluded that the findings were ‘promising’ and warranted further well-designed, adequately powered studies. (Acupuncture for anxiety and anxiety disorders – a systematic literature review. Acupunct Med. 2007 Jun;25(1-2):1-10)