The psychological impact of Buddhist counseling for patients suffering from symptoms of anxiety

The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of individual Buddhist counseling interventions for patients suffering from symptoms of anxiety. A single-group pretest and posttest design was used to measure outcomes. Twenty-one patients participated in the study as voluntary subjects, all of whom completed two sessions of Buddhist counseling interventions. The individual Buddhist counseling program was developed by the investigators based on the Buddhist doctrine. The outcomes were evaluated with the use of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using the Friedman test, which provides an indicator for evidence-based outcomes related to anxiety reduction scores. The results revealed that the scores on the state anxiety test in relation to the trait anxiety test had been reduced at the 1-month follow-up. The findings from content analysis showed that when the patients practiced mindfulness, they were able to accept unpleasant situations calmly. Sixteen patients were prescribed lower doses of antianxiety medications. Furthermore, medication was discontinued for two patients, and three other patients continued their prescribed medication regimen completely. The study indicates that counseling as a basis from Buddhist principles has the potential to benefit patients with emotional anxiety-based problems. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.