On gender and TMT-A. The REM-ACT study: Acceptance and commitment therapy versus a mindfulness-based emotional regulation intervention in anxiety disorders. A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Meta‐analysis show significant improvement regarding working memory capacity after training in mindfulness, but further research is needed to clarify these results. This is the first study to compare two mindfulness‐based interventions on this cognitive function in patients with anxiety disorders. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) versus a Mindfulness‐based Emotional Regulation (MER) intervention on auditive working memory. Methods: This study was carried out in a Mental Health Unit (Colmenar Viejo, Madrid). Firstly, 52 adult patients with anxiety disorders were randomized according to the score on the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire‐II (blocking factor), of whom, 39 patients decided to participate. Each intervention was weekly, during 8 weeks, guided by two Clinical Psychology residents. A 2x2 mixed ANOVA (pre‐post change x intervention type) was conducted, with Sidak‐correction post hoc tests. The dependent variables were the scores on the Digit span backward and the Digit span sequence (WAIS‐IV). Results: Normality violation was observed in both measures. Homoscedasticity assumption was met. No statistically significant main or interaction effect was observed (partial eta‐squared between 0.00 and 0.07; statistical power observed between 5.10% and 32.6%). The Wilcoxon signed ranks tests confirmed this nonstatistically significant change on Digit span backward (p = 0.91) or Digit span sequence (p = 0.17) after treatments. Conclusions: Auditive working memory was not improved after any of the two mindfulness‐based interventions. The ceiling effect of both measures may contribute to the lack of sensitivity to change. A larger sample size is required to confirm these results.