Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39913542›Full record

Trial reportPloS one2025

Mindfulness-based (non-contact) boxing therapy (MBBT) for depression and anxiety: A feasibility study.

Johny Bozdarov, Brett D M Jones, Madeha Umer, Daniel M Blumberger, Ishrat M Husain

Abstract readClinical Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Johny BozdarovDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3962-7471
Brett D M JonesDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Madeha UmerCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Daniel M BlumbergerDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ishrat M HusainDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesMindfulness-Based (non-contact) Boxing Therapy (MBBT) is a novel intervention designed to empower and promote self-agency through behavioral interventions, while reducing barriers to exercise for individuals with mental disorders. MBBT is an instructor-led, manualized, non-contact boxing group-exercise program (delivered in 90 min sessions, twice a week, over 10 weeks) that blends principles of mindfulness, meditation and group therapy. The current study tested the acceptability and feasibility of delivering MBBT to adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

methodsNine adult outpatients with MDD or GAD were recruited from a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Toronto, Canada in a 10-week feasibility trial of MBBT using a pre-post design. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates, while acceptability was assessed through the CSQ-8, and self-questionnaires. Secondary clinical outcomes included the PHQ-9, GAD-7, K10, CGI, and MAAS. Trial registry: ISRCTN23023309.

resultsEight participants (5 female, 3 male) were included in the final analysis. Results indicated a high user retention (89%), attendance (84%), and satisfaction (98%). The study observed a statistically significant mean percent reduction in depression (54%), anxiety (51%) and distress (36%), alongside a mean percent increase in mindfulness (79%). Post intervention qualitative feedback from participants revealed themes of inclusivity and accessibility, cathartic release and control of emotions, improved self-esteem and confidence, self-agency, community, and trust in leadership.

conclusionsGiven the limitation of the study, MBBT appeared to be feasible and acceptable as an exercise/behavioural intervention. Further well-designed randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm the clinical benefits of MBBT.

Indexed as

AnxietyAnxiety DisordersMajor Depressive DisorderMindfulnessAdultFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID39913542
PMCPMC11801631

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.