Group and Individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Are Both Effective: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Depressed People with a Somatic Disease.

Maya J Schroevers,K Annika Tovote,Joke Fleer,Evelien Snippe

doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0575-z

Abstract

Depressive symptoms are commonly reported by individuals suffering from a chronic medical condition. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be an effective psychological intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in a range of populations. MBCT is traditionally given in a group format. The aim of the current pilot RCT was to examine the effects of group-based MBCT and individually based MBCT for reducing depressive symptoms in adults suffering from one or more somatic diseases. In this study, 56 people with a somatic condition and comorbid depressive symptoms (i.e., Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II] ≥14) were randomized to group MBCT (n = 28) or individual MBCT (n = 28). Patients filled out questionnaires at three points in time (i.e., pre-intervention, post-intervention, 3 months follow-up). Primary outcome measure was severity of depressive symptoms. Anxiety and positive well-being as well as mindfulness and self-compassion were also assessed. We found significant improvements in all outcomes in those receiving group or individual MBCT, with no significant differences between the two conditions regarding these improvements. Although preliminary (given the pilot nature and lack of control group), results suggest that both group MBCT and individual MBCT are associated with improvements in psychological well-being and enhanced skills of mindfulness and self-compassion in individuals with a chronic somatic condition and comorbid depressive symptoms. Our findings merit future non-inferiority trials in larger samples to be able to draw more firm conclusions about the effectiveness of both formats of MBCT.

Highlights

The presence of a chronic somatic disease plays a prominent role in the development of depression, with about 9−23 % of people with one or more chronic somatic diseases having comorbid depression (Moussavi et al 2007)
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is one of the available psychological interventions that focus on reducing depressive symptoms (Segal et al 2002)
MBCT is based on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), developed by Kabat-Zinn (1979), a group program helping people to cope with severe medical conditions and their psychological impact

Summary

Introduction

The presence of a chronic somatic disease plays a prominent role in the development of depression, with about 9−23 % of people with one or more chronic somatic diseases having comorbid depression (Moussavi et al 2007). Given this high prevalence, the burden of depression, and its negative consequences for self-care and medical treatment adherence, it is crucial to develop and test treatments that are acceptable and effective in reducing depressive symptoms. MBCT is based on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), developed by Kabat-Zinn (1979), a group program helping people to cope with severe medical conditions and their psychological impact. MBCT combines mindfulness exercises such as meditation with cognitive behavioral exercises and psycho-

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