msmurdock

msmurdock t1_ivrndpv wrote

Reply to comment by Fit-Rest-973 in New study (n=276) finds that a standardized mindfulness program is as effective as a common antidepressant (Escitalopram) at treating anxiety, with both treatments leading to about a 30% reduction in symptoms. by fotogneric

True, that's what was hoped when SSRIs were first introduced in 1987.

Then came much better research, trials, and a plethora of different medications as well as new science that allowed us the ability to study genetics and brain scans etc.

We have slightly more info 36 years later.

14

msmurdock t1_ivrcnf4 wrote

Reply to comment by fotogneric in New study (n=276) finds that a standardized mindfulness program is as effective as a common antidepressant (Escitalopram) at treating anxiety, with both treatments leading to about a 30% reduction in symptoms. by fotogneric

The study used a total of 276 patients...which basically means nothing.

It used one drug, Lexapro, for anxiety... It's an SSRI, which is effective for some, but not even close to most folks with anxiety disorders.

And they gave the Lexapro folks no support other than the drug. Even though it's meant to be used alongside therapy.

So. The headline actually should be: Tiny study suggests this particular MBSR program we are not sharing with you is equally as effective as trying a single med with no therapy on anxiety."

Science!

−16

msmurdock t1_ivrbtpg wrote

Reply to New study (n=276) finds that a standardized mindfulness program is as effective as a common antidepressant (Escitalopram) at treating anxiety, with both treatments leading to about a 30% reduction in symptoms. by fotogneric

Let's be very careful about calling this "science."

The entire group was 200 people. So basically nothing this study found was going to be statistically significant to begin with.

Then, they had one group take a single med (Lexapro), which works for some folks and not others and is not at all a front line med. That group did not get the mindfulness program or any additional therapy, despite the fact that even the most basic psych 101 course will teach you meds work best in conjunction with therapy.

This is basically garbage science...published on a site where the next recommended article wants to tell you about how angels will heal you better than any drug.

−8