Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and depression among Indian clinical populations

Background: Anxiety and depression are leading causes of disability in India, with nearly 15% of adults experiencing some form of mental morbidity. Despite existing pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, accessibility, affordability, and cultural barriers persist. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), adapted from the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model, offer a culturally resonant, cost-effective alternative for improving mental health outcomes. Objective: To examine the efficacy of an eight-week mindfulness-based intervention in reducing anxiety and depression among clinically diagnosed Indian patients, while assessing associated changes in mindfulness levels. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was employed with 150 participants aged 18-55 years from mental health clinics in Madhya Pradesh. The experimental group (n = 75) received an eight-week MBSR-based program, while the control group (n = 75) continued treatment-as-usual. Standardized psychometric tools—Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were administered. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, ANCOVA, and effect size estimation (Cohen’s d). Results: Post-intervention analysis showed a 27% increase in mindfulness, 39% reduction in anxiety, and 41% reduction in depression in the intervention group (p