Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of Compassion-Focused Group Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet
Summary
This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of compassion-focused group therapy (CFT) for adults with depression and/or anxiety who continued to experience symptoms despite previous treatment. CFT aims to help individuals develop a more compassionate attitude toward themselves and reduce self-criticism and shame, which may contribute to psychological distress. The study was conducted at a specialized psychiatric outpatient clinic in Stockholm, Sweden, during 2023-2024. A total of 21 participants received an 11-week group treatment consisting of weekly group sessions and brief individual telephone consultations. The study examined whether participants were willing and able to complete the treatment and whether the treatment was acceptable and feasible in routine psychiatric care. Changes in self-compassion, depressive symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, social safeness, everyday functioning, and quality of life were assessed before treatment, immediately after treatment, and three months later. The findings were intended to inform the further development and evaluation of compassion-focused group therapy for patients with persistent depression and anxiety symptoms.
Official title: Investigation of Loneliness and Its Associations With Emotion Regulation, Lifestyle Habits, Mental Health Problems, and Psychotherapeutic Treatment Outcomes, Substudy 5: Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) for Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
21
Start Date
2023-07-01
Completion Date
2024-04-08
Last Updated
2026-10-15
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Compassion-Focused Group Therapy (CFT)
An 11-week manualized compassion-focused group therapy intervention. Participants attended weekly group sessions lasting approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, supplemented by weekly individual telephone consultations of approximately 15 minutes. The treatment included psychoeducation, experiential exercises, meditation, compassion-focused practices, and individual case conceptualization. Individual appointments were also offered before treatment, midway through treatment, and at the three-month follow-up.
Locations (1)
Sollentuna Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, Psychiatry Northwest (Psykiatri Nordväst)
Stockholm, Sweden