Meditation and Hypnosis for Chronic Depressed Mood

Trial ID or NCT#

NCT00226863

Status

not recruiting iconNOT RECRUITING

Purpose

This study examined whether meditation or group psychotherapy including hypnosis plus education, compared to an educational control, would ameliorate long-term depressed mood.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: Older than 18 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria:
  1. - Currently meeting DSM-IV criteria for a chronic depressive disorder, with the requirement that depressive symptoms had to have lasted for at least 2 years without a remission of 2 months or more. - Being 18 years of age or older. - Being sufficiently proficient in English to be able to participate in group therapy. - Being able to attend weekly meetings at Stanford.
Exclusion Criteria:
  1. - Concurrent bipolar disorder or severe depressive disorder (this latter was determined in supervision for the SCID interviews). - Presence or history of psychosis. - A current primary diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or PTSD. - A current primary diagnosis of drug or alcohol dependency or abuse (within the last 3 months). - Serious suicidal risk, as defined by: - Current suicidality, i.e., beyond simple ideation (e.g., making threats or attempts; gathering means; has a plan); OR - Serious prior attempts (bodily harm; gathered means; hospitalization). - Has a significant medical condition that could interfere with participation in meditation/yoga. - Current participation in psychotherapy or a meditation group. - Has started (or changed level or type of) prescribed antidepressant medication or St. John's Wort in the previous 3 months.

Investigator(s)

David Spiegel
David Spiegel
Psychiatrist
Jack, Lulu and Sam Willson Professor of Medicine