Efficacy Of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Research Articles

Study protocol for the MIND-PD study: a randomized controlled trial to investigate clinical and biological effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in people with Parkinson’s disease

BackgroundPeople with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are very sensitive to the effects of stress. The prevalence of stress-related neuropsychiatric symptoms is high, and acute stress worsens motor symptoms. Animal studies suggest that chronic stress may accelerate disease progression, but evidence for this in humans is lacking. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) train participants to focus on the present moment, on purpose and without judgement. Previous studies suggest that MBIs may alleviate stress and reduce depression and anxiety in PD. We aim to demonstrate the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a non-pharmacologic treatment strategy for neuropsychiatric (and motor) symptoms in PD, and to identify the mechanisms underlying stress and stress reduction in PD.MethodsIn a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT), we investigate whether 8 weeks of MBCT, as compared to care as usual, can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with PD. We aim to include 124 PD patients, who experience mild-moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression, are eligible for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and naïve to mindfulness, and who have a disease duration ≤ 10 years. Every participant is followed for 12 months. Clinical and biochemical assessments take place at baseline (T0), after 2 months (T1), and after 12 months (T2); MRI assessments take place at T0 and T2. Our primary outcome is the total score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at T1, while correcting for the HADS score at T0, age, and gender. Beyond testing the effects of MBCT on symptoms of anxiety and depression in PD, we explore whether MBCT: (1) has an effect on motor symptom severity, (2) influences cerebral and biochemical markers of stress, and (3) leads to a change in biomarkers of PD progression.DiscussionMIND-PD is one of the first RCTs with a 1-year follow-up to investigate the effects of MBCT on symptoms of anxiety and depression in PD, and to explore possible mechanisms underlying stress and stress reduction in PD. Insight into these mechanisms can pave the way to new treatment methods in the future.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05779137. Registered on 12 January 2023.

The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Disease Perception, Body Image, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Women with Breast Cancer

Background: Currently, the prevalence of breast cancer and its debilitating consequences are increasing, causing adverse personal, family, and social effects in patients. Therefore, patients with breast cancer should try to reduce the injuries described above through various treatment methods. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on disease perception, body image, and fear of cancer recurrence in women with breast cancer. Methods: This applied study was designed based on a pre-test and post-test. The study included 30 participants, 15 test groups (15 people), and 15 control groups (15 people). A test group was used for MBCT, while the other was not exposed to the intervention. Eight 90-minute sessions were held weekly for the test group for two months. The research tools included the Broadbent Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory Questionnaire (FCRIQ). Finally, the resulting data were analyzed by SPSS software Version 25. Results: The statistical test of covariance analysis showed that the MBCT method significantly affects disease perception, body image, and fear of disease recurrence in women with breast cancer (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, the MBCT method can help manage breast cancer in women. Therefore, breast cancer patients can improve their quality of life and life expectancy by learning this treatment method.

Mindfulness as Adjuvant Treatment for Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder: An Integrative Review

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder is characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. Standard treatment, although effective in improving symptoms, in more severe cases may not be sufficient. The objective of this studywas to identify in the literature data on the effectiveness of Mindfulness as a complementary treatment in reducing symptoms in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder. This integrative review was performed in Medline, Lilacs, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases. A total of 135 results were found, of which only 11 articles were used after applying the duplicate exclusion and eligibility criteria. Thus, we identified that mindfulness­ ‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) when compared to more traditional treatments, such as cognitive‐behavioral therapy, showed promise, especially in improving self‐awareness regarding the symptoms of the disorder. However, studies with longer exposure time and with more specific variables need to be designed to verify the long­term efficacy of MBCT, especially in more severe and older patients.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Fatigue in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesFatigue is a prevalent and burdensome problem in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), even when the disease is in remission. Evidence-based psychological interventions for managing IBD-related fatigue are still lacking. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for reducing fatigue in patients with IBD in remission.MethodA two-arm multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in 113 IBD outpatients in remission with elevated levels of fatigue (i.e., Checklist Individual Strength — subjective fatigue ≥ 27). Patients were randomly assigned to an 8-week MBCT program (n = 56) or a waiting-list condition (n = 57). All participants completed questionnaires at baseline and directly post-intervention. The primary outcome was fatigue, assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength-20. Secondary outcomes included fatigue interference in daily life, depression, anxiety, and IBD-specific quality of life. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to examine treatment outcomes.ResultsIntention-to-treat analyses showed significant reductions in the subjective experience of fatigue in patients receiving MBCT, compared to the waiting-list control condition (p = 0.03; Cohen’s d = 0.46; clinically relevant improvement in 36% vs. 10%). No significant effects were found on other fatigue aspects or secondary outcomes.ConclusionsAn 8-week MBCT group program effectively reduced the subjective experience of fatigue in patients with IBD in remission. Results do not support effects for other aspects of fatigue or secondary outcomes.PreregistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03162575.

Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Compared to Diet Modification Alone for Dysphagia in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Compared to Diet Modification Alone for Dysphagia in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Stress Reduction in Family Carers of People Living with Dementia: A Systematic Review.

The prevalence of dementia is increasing and the care needs of people living with dementia are rising. Family carers of people living with dementia are a high-risk group for psychological and physical health comorbidities. Mindfulness-based interventions such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy show potential for reducing stress experienced by family carers of people living with dementia. This study aims to systematically assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing stress experienced by family carers of people living with dementia. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, AMED, ICTRP, and ALOIS were searched for relevant studies up to August 2020. All types of intervention studies were included. Quantitative findings were explored. Seven studies were eligible for inclusion. The analysis showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in self-rated carer stress in four studies for the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group compared to controls. One study that was adequately powered also showed reductions in carer burden, depression, and anxiety compared to control. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appears to be a potentially effective intervention for family carers of people living with dementia, but large, high-quality randomized controlled trials in ethnically diverse populations are required to evaluate its effectiveness.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combined with repetitive transracial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on information processing and working memory of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background:MS is a demyelinating disease that can result in significant disability. Along with physical complications, this disease is associated with significant psychological complications, including cognitive decline. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in combination with rTMS on information processing and working memory in patients with MS.Methods:The current study used a single-case experimental design and included a follow-up (A-B-A). The statistical population of the present study was all MS patients in Tehran who referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran in 2020. The present study sample consisted of 5 MS patients selected by the sampling methods available. Subjects were assessed three times before, during, and after the intervention using the Zahlen-Verbindongs and n-back tests in the two-back position. Subjects received cognitive therapy based on mindfulness and rTMS at a frequency of 10 Hz. Visual and graphical recovery percentage and effect size methods were used to analyze the data.Results:The current study's findings indicate that combining mindfulness with rTMS has a beneficial effect on the information processing and working memory of MS patients. Overall, 67.24% recovered following the intervention stage, 53.64% recovered following the follow-up for information processing, 104.04% recovered following the intervention stage, and 76.98% recovered following the follow-up for working memory.Conclusion:The study shows the effect of mindfulness combined with rTMS on cognitive problems in MS patients. Significant improvements in MS patients' information processing, working memory, and therapeutic outcomes were observed throughout the follow-up period.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Primary Care and the Role of Depression Severity and Treatment Attendance

ObjectivesEvidence suggests the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to prevent depression relapse and decrease depressive symptoms during the acute phase. However, the effectiveness of MBCT in real-world heterogeneous samples treated in clinical health settings, including primary care, has received little attention. This study had two aims: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of MBCT delivered in primary care considering pre-treatment depression scores and (2) to explore the role of participants’ characteristics on symptom improvement.MethodsData were obtained from 433 individuals who received MBCT. Participants completed the Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD) pretreatment and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) pre- and post-treatment.ResultsSixty percent presented moderate-to-severe depression according to scores on the BDI-II, 18.1% presented mild depression, and 21.7% were in the non-depressed range. The severity of pre-treatment depressive symptoms was associated with outcomes. Most individuals who lacked depressive symptoms at baseline remained in the non-clinical range after the treatment. Those in the severe group benefited the most from the intervention, since 35.6% were considered recovered. Rates of deterioration ranged from 2.1 to 2.7%, depending on the depression-baseline scores. Depression severity at the entrance, attendance, and age, but not personality traits, appear to be related to symptom improvement.ConclusionsAccording to our results, MBCT can be effectively and safely delivered in primary care.

Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with coronary artery disease: insights from a prospective registry

Abstract Introduction Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) report psychological distress and poor physical functioning after cardiovascular events. In cardiac rehabilitation, an exercise program is often used as A primary strategy; however, this is often not sufficient to address stress and psychosocial well-being. Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program on feelings of anxiety and depression in patients with CAD. Methods In this single-center prospective observational study, eligible cardiac rehabilitation patients with symptoms of anxiety or depression were recruited after referral for psychological consultation. During eight consecutive weeks, patients participated in group meetings. The program included psycho- education, cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation and slow abdominal breathing. Standard measures of depression, anxiety and blood pressure were obtained at baseline and after completion of the program. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was used as an instrument for detecting states of anxiety and depression. Results A total of 135 patients (mean age 56±9 years; 24% female) were enrolled. The mean HADS-Anxiety score improved from 11.0±3.7 at baseline to 6.6±3.4 after MBCT (p<0.001). The mean HADS-Depression score improved from 8.8±3.6 to 4.7±3.2 (p<0.001). In addition, during the MBCT program a significant decrease in blood pressure was noted: systolic from 140±18 to 130±17 mmHg and diastolic from 84±12 to 77±10 mmHg (p<0.001 for both). Conclusion This study provides evidence that a MBCT program has the potential to improve feelings of anxiety and depression in patients with CAD. Therefore, adding MBCT to cardiac rehabilitation in selected patients may be of great value. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder: A Study Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial and a Case-Control Study With Electroencephalogram.

Background: In this report, a study protocol for a randomized control trial is presented in an attempt to explore the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for major depressive disorder (MMD), and a case–control study is conducted to find the difference in electroencephalograms (EEGs) between MMD and normal controls.Design: Seventy Chinese patients with MMD will be chosen for random division in the MBCT group or medication group, with half of the participants receiving common medication treatment [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)] and half receiving MBCT as a supplement to the common medication treatment. All participants, namely, 70 MMD cases and 35 matched normal controls, will be tested by a range of scales and EEG at baseline (week 0), mid-intervention (weeks 2, 4, and 6), post-intervention (week 8), and 6-months follow-up (weeks 12, 20, and 32).Discussion: The findings of this study will provide a positive reference for the treatment of depression and future research on MBCT treatment mechanism.Trial Registration: NCT03558256. Registered: June 13, 2018—retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03558256.

Putting mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to the test in routine clinical practice: A transdiagnostic panacea or a disorder specific intervention?

BackgroundOver the past two decades there has been a growing number of randomized clinical trials supporting the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. Since evidence for its effectiveness in routine clinical practice is lagging behind, we aimed to examine adherence, outcome and predictors of MBCT in a well-characterized, heterogeneous outpatient population in routine clinical practice. MethodsData were collected from a naturalistic uncontrolled cohort of 998 patients formally diagnosed with mainly depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, somatoform disorders and/or ADHD. Patients received protocolized MBCT and completed self-report questionnaires pre- and post-treatment on overall functioning (Outcome Questionnaire, primary outcome), depressive symptoms, worry, mindfulness skills and self-compassion. Pre-to post-treatment changes were analysed for the overall sample and each diagnostic category separately with paired sample t-tests, reliable change indices (only overall sample) and repeated measures ANOVA for groups with and without comorbidity. Multiple linear regression was carried out to assess possible predictors of adherence and change in overall functioning. ResultsAdherence was high (94%) but negatively affected by lower levels of education, more comorbidity and presence of ADHD. Outcome in terms of improvement in overall functioning was good in the overall sample (Cohen's d = 0.50, 30% showed reliable improvement vs. 3.5% reliable deterioration) and within each diagnostic category (Cohen's d range = 0.37–0.61). Worse overall functioning at baseline was the only predictor for a larger treatment effect. ConclusionsAfter MBCT, overall functioning improved in a large heterogeneous psychiatric outpatient population independent of diagnosis or comorbidity.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multicenter Study.

The prevalence of chronic pain in Spain is 15%. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on patients with chronic pain. A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures pre- and post-test (N = 57) was carried out at three hospitals from the province of Alicante. Self-reported assessment measurements of pain intensity, anxiety-depression symptoms, perception of health status, interference of pain on sleep, self-efficacy in pain, acceptance, and mindfulness attitude were included. The T-test indicates significant differences in intensity of present pain, mental quality of life, and depression (medium effect sizes), as well as in self-efficacy: total score, symptom management and pain control (medium effect sizes), sleep disturbances and quantity of sleep (large effect sizes). MBCT is effective in reducing many symptoms in patients with chronic pain, although its maintenance needs to be further investigated.

Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Cancer is associated with some psychological problems that play an important role in the severity and continuity of cancer. Cancer may lead to maladaptive psychological reactions such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in cancer patients. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and fatigue in cancer patients.Method: The present study was a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Of the 100 patients diagnosed with cancer, 60 patients were eligible to participate in this study according to the inclusion / exclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned into 3 groups: MBCT, CBT, and wait-list group (WLG). Afterward, the experimental groups received 8 weekly treatment sessions. All the participants fulfilled the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Cancer-Related Fatigue Scale (CFS) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software by Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results indicated a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and fatigue scores in CBT and MBCT groups. There was a significant difference between both treatment groups with WLG in the anxiety and depression, but no significant difference was found between MBCT and CBT groups. Additionally, there was only a significant difference between the CBT group and WLG in terms of fatigue (P = 0.01).Conclusion: CBT and MBCT performed equally well in decreasing anxiety and depression in cancer patients, and they were significantly better than WLG. It seems that MBCT is a good alternative to CBT for decreasing emotional symptoms in cancer patients. As a result, CBT and MBCT could be considered a good addition to pharmacological treatment of cancer patients with comorbid psychological symptoms. However, CBT was preferable to MBCT in decreasing fatigue.The study was registered at the irct.ir database under registration number IRCT20180503039509N1.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in functional dyspepsia: A pilot randomized trial.

Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) often have concomitant anxiety and depression. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. It is a group-based therapy and has been shown to be efficacious in functional gastrointestinal disorders. There are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating MBCT in FD. We aimed to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of MBCT in FD management. We performed a mixed-method single-center pilot randomized trial of 28 patients fulfilling ROME-III criteria for FD. Fifteen patients were randomized to an 8-week MBCT program while 13 underwent treatment-as-usual (TAU). Patients completed questionnaires at baseline and at week 8. Two focus-groups were conducted. Feasibility of recruitment, acceptability of randomization, procedures and intervention, handout compliance and feasibility of quantitative measures were assessed. The primary outcome was subjective-clinical-assessment of FD symptoms (SCA-FD). Secondary outcome measures included Short-form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI), subjective-clinical-assessment of general health (SCA-GH), EuroQoL-Visual Analog Scale (EuroQoL-VAS), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21). Twelve of 15 patients in the MBCT group completed the program. There was a trend towards symptom improvement, with 90% in the MBCT group reporting improvement in SCA-FD compared with 45% in TAU(P=0.063). Patients who underwent MBCT reported greater improvement in SF-NDI (mean change: -8.8 (SD: 7.5) vs -0.7 (7.2), P=0.018) and DASS-21 (-19.8 (29.5) vs -5.5 (6.6) P=0.13) compared with TAU. There was no difference in SCA-GH and EuroQoL-VAS. Based on SCA-FD improvement, the eventual RCT will require 50 patients (25 in each group). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is likely efficacious for FD, and it would be feasible to conduct a RCT.

A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy vs stress management training for obsessive-compulsive disorder

BackgroundRecently, mindfulness-based therapies have emerged as a treatment modality for OCD, but there is sparse controlled data. We report the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in treating OCD in comparison with stress management training (SMT). Methods60 outpatients with DSM-IV-TR OCD attending a specialty OCD clinic were randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio to either MBCT (n=30) or SMT (n= 30). Both the groups received 12 weekly sessions of assigned intervention. An independent blind rater assessed the primary outcome measure at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks. ResultsSignificantly greater proportion of patients responded to MBCT than to SMT (80% vs. 27%, P <0.001). In the linear mixed-effects modelling for intent-to-treat analysis, there was a significant reduction in the illness severity measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, obsessive beliefs of ‘responsibility/threat estimation’ and ‘perfectionism/intolerance of uncertainty’ measured using the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire and anxiety. LimitationsSmall sample size with a relatively high attrition in the control group. Lack of a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) control group. ConclusionsMindfulness-based cognitive therapy is efficacious in the treatment of OCD. Future studies should compare MBCT with CBT in larger representative samples and also examine the sustainability of change in longitudinal studies.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy among depressed individuals with disabilities in Nigeria: A randomized controlled trial

The objective of this paper was to examine the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in decreasing depressive symptoms and intellectual disabilities (ID) among individuals with depression in Nigeria. In this randomized controlled trial, 101 participants with depression and ID, aged 18–60 years, who obtained 14 scores in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), scores 4 and above on Shaheen Disability Scale (SDS), were randomly assigned into the interventions (n = 50) and active control group (n = 51). The MBCT group has shown a statistically significant effect on the SDS and BDI-II variables by decreasing depressive symptoms and disabilities following MBCT (p<0.05). The assessment revealed that participants reported an improvement in their experience of depression and ID. The most significant impact was in the reduced levels of ID reported. The results of the evaluation suggest that depressed people with intellectual disabilities benefit from a structured MBCT group intervention and the results are maintained at 2-months follow-up.

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for major depressive disorder: evidence from routine outcome monitoring data.

Meta-analyses show efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in terms of relapse prevention and depressive symptom reduction in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most studies have been conducted in controlled research settings. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of MBCT in patients with MDD presenting in real-world clinical practice. Moreover, we assessed whether guideline recommendations for MBCT allocation in regard to recurrence and remission status of MDD hold in clinical practice. This study assessed a naturalistic cohort of patients with (recurrent) MDD, either current or in remission (n = 765), who received MBCT in a university hospital out-patient clinic in The Netherlands. Outcome measures were self-reported depressive symptoms, worry, mindfulness skills and self-compassion. Predictors were MDD recurrence and remission status, and clinical and sociodemographic variables. Outcome and predictor analyses were conducted with linear regression. MBCT adherence was high (94%). Patients with a lower level of education had a higher chance of non-adherence. Attending more sessions positively influenced improvement in depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms significantly reduced from pre- to post-MBCT (Δ mean = 7.7, 95%CI = 7.0-8.5, Cohen's d = 0.75). Improvement of depressive symptoms was independent from MDD recurrence and remission status. Unemployed patients showed less favourable outcomes. Worry, mindfulness skills and self-compassion all significantly improved. These improvements were related to changes in depressive symptoms. Previous efficacy results in controlled research settings are maintained in clinical practice. Results illustrate that MBCT is effective in routine clinical practice for patients suffering from MDD, irrespective of MDD recurrence and remission status.

Long-term effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and residual symptoms after cognitive behavioral therapy: Twelve-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

We examined the long-term efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) compared to a psychoeducation group as an active control condition in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with residual symptoms of OCD after cognitive behavioral therapy. A total of 125 patients were included in a bicentric, interviewer-blind, randomized, and actively controlled trial and were assigned to either an MBCT group (n = 61) or a psychoeducation group (n = 64). Patients’ demographic characteristics and the results from our previous assessments have already been reported (Külz et al., 2019). At the 12-month follow-up the completion rate was 80%. OCD symptoms were reduced from baseline to follow-up assessment with a large effect, but no difference was found between groups. Exploratory analyses showed that a composite score of time occupied by obsessive thoughts, distress associated with obsessive thoughts, and interference due to obsessive thoughts differed between groups in the per-protocol analysis, with a stronger reduction in the MBCT group. At the 12-month follow-up, the two groups showed a similar reduction of symptoms. However, preliminary evidence indicates that MBCT has a superior effect on some aspects of OCD. This should be replicated in future studies.

A Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Improve Well-Being for Health Professionals Providing Chronic Disease Care

To assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy delivered onsite during work hours in reducing stress and improving well-being in an interdisciplinary chronic care health care team. A longitudinal, mixed methods, observational pilot study using a survey created from validated assessment tools to measure effectiveness of training. Surveys were completed before training, and 1 and 15months after training. Twenty-four professionals in the cystic fibrosis Centers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of Cincinnati participated in 6 mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training sessions. Sessions incorporated mindfulness, cognitive therapy, and experiential exercises for processing feelings related to stress and burnout. The presurvey and 1-month postsurvey responses revealed statistically significant improvements for empathy, perceived stress, depersonalization, anxiety, perspective taking, resilience, and negative affect. Sustained effects were seen at 15months for empathy, perspective taking, and depressive symptoms. The 1-month post-training surveys reported a quarter of respondents (25%) practiced skills at least 5 times in between sessions; at 15months, 35% reported practicing at the same frequency. Participants reported using mindfulness skills for personal stressful events (74%), work-related general stress (65%), patient-related stress (30%), sleep or general relaxation (22%), and wellness (13%). Group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training was feasible and effective in decreasing stress for interdisciplinary cystic fibrosis care team members who elected to participate. Further investigation is needed to determine optimal dose of training, durability of perceived benefits, and generalizability to health care professionals working with other chronic disorders.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on a Group of Postgraduate Students: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Background: The literature shows promising results regarding the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), suggesting that these programs foster the development of intraperso...