MBCT for social anxiety in people living with alopecia areata
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effectiveness of mindfulness based cognitive group therapy for social anxiety symptoms in people living with alopecia areata: A single group case series.
IRAS ID
230374
Contact name
Andrew Thompson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Social anxiety is a common problem reported by people living with alopecia areata. Fear of negative evaluation from others is a key characteristic of social anxiety; however, for people living with alopecia areata, there is a reality to negative reactions. This is well documented in the literature as people describe negative comments, staring and comparisons with chemotherapy patients. Despite a clear need, access to psychological interventions in dermatology is limited and of the interventions that are available, few target social anxiety. The current study aims to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness based cognitive group therapy (MBCT) in reducing symptoms of social anxiety experienced by people living with alopecia areata.
Mindfulness is defined as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose in the present moment and non-judgementally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p.4). Being focused on the present moment can reduce the tendency to engage in over thinking, as people become aware of when their thoughts have drifted from the present towards habitual patterns of thinking.
MBCT has been found to be effective in reducing the risk of relapse for depression and is currently used as an intervention within the NHS for this purpose. Research suggests that mindfulness is also beneficial for people experiencing social anxiety.
This study will examine the effectiveness of MBCT for participants who are experiencing clinically significant levels of social anxiety and living with alopecia areata. People will be invited to attend an eight week MBCT course, delivered by two trained MBCT therapists.
During the study participants will be asked to complete measures of social anxiety, anxiety, depression, mindfulness and dermatology quality of life. The measures will be used to examine if the MBCT course leads to changes in mindfulness and distress, in particular if MBCT leads to reductions in social anxiety.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0067
Date of REC Opinion
1 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion