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Online MBCT for Adjustment Disorder During COVID-19: Efficacy, Mechanisms, and RCT

NCT07128017 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 301

Last updated 2025-08-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study tested a 4-week, internet-based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program designed to help people experiencing adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjustment disorder is a stress-related condition that can cause anxiety, depression, and difficulty coping after major life changes.

We compared the online MBCT program to two other groups: an internet-based relaxation training program and a wait-list group. A total of 301 adults from Poland took part. We measured symptoms of adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety before the program, right after, and one month later.

Results showed that the online MBCT program led to greater improvements in depression and anxiety than the other two groups. People in MBCT also developed more self-compassion and were better able to distance themselves from unhelpful thoughts, which helped reduce their symptoms. Benefits lasted at least one month after the program ended.

These findings suggest that a brief, self-guided, online mindfulness program can be an effective, accessible way to support mental health during stressful times such as a pandemic.

Conditions

  • Adjustment Disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Depressive

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Internet-delivered)

A 4-week (30 days), unguided online adaptation of the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program. The intervention consisted of six sequential modules delivered through a secure web platform, including guided mindfulness meditations, body scan, mindful movement, and cognitive-behavioral exercises. Participants received audio recordings, written materials, and reflective tasks, along with automated reminder emails. No therapist guidance was provided.

BEHAVIORAL

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (Internet-delivered)

A 4-week, unguided online progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) program adapted from Bernstein and Borkovec's protocol. The program included six sequential modules teaching systematic tensing and relaxing of major muscle groups, gradually reducing the number of groups until relaxation could be achieved through recall alone. Materials included audio recordings, written instructions, and automated reminder emails. No therapist guidance was provided.

BEHAVIORAL

No Intervention - Waitlist Control

Participants in this arm received no active intervention during the 4-week waitlist period but completed all study assessments on the same schedule as intervention arms. After the waiting period, participants were offered the choice to take part in either the online MBCT or PMR program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Warsaw

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-05-25
Primary Completion
2020-07-21
Completion
2020-08-21

Countries

  • Poland

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07128017 on ClinicalTrials.gov