Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy For Depression Research Articles

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A Systematic Review of Cognitive Outcomes.

Summarize existing literature on cognitive outcomes of MBSR and MBCT for individuals with depression. Following PRISMA (2021) guidance, we conducted a systematic review. We searched databases for studies published from 2000 to 2020 which examined cognitive outcomes of MBSR and MBCT in individuals with at least mild depressive symptoms. The search result in 10 studies (11 articles) meeting inclusion criteria. We identified five single armed trials and five randomized controlled trials. Results indicated that three studies did not show any improvements on cognitive outcomes, and seven studies showed at least one improvement in cognitive outcomes. Overall, the review highlighted several inconsistencies in the literature including inconsistent use of terminology, disparate samples, and inconsistent use of methodology. These inconsistencies may help to explain the mixed results of MBSR and MBCT on cognitive outcomes. Recommendations include a more streamlined approach to studying cognitive outcomes in depressed individuals in the context of MBSR and MBCT.

Association between decentering and reductions in relapse/recurrence in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in adults: A randomized controlled trial.

"Decentering" is defined as the ability to observe one's thoughts and feelings as temporary, objective events in the mind (Safran & Segal, 1990), and is increasingly regarded as a candidate mechanism in mindfulness-based interventions. The present study sought to examine the role of decentering, and other related variables, in the efficacy of Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as compared to two active comparison conditions. Formerly depressed individuals (N = 227), randomly assigned to MBCT (n = 74), relaxation group therapy (RGT; n = 77) or Treatment as usual (TAU; n = 76), completed self-report measures of decentering and symptoms of depression at pre-, mid-, and posttreatment, and relapse was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, posttreatment. With regard to the acute treatment phase, results indicated that, whereas levels of depression increased in both RGT and TAU, MBCT patients remained free from symptom gains. Moreover, gains in decentering from mid- to posttreatment predicted reductions in depression from pre- to posttreatment for MBCT and TAU, but not for RGT. Participants who experienced increases in decentering, measured from mid- to posttreatment, generally evidenced the lowest levels of relapse/recurrence (during the four follow-up assessments), largely irrespective of treatment group. However, results related to change in decentering should be considered exploratory due to small cell sizes among participants who did not experience gains in decentering. Taken together, these results suggest that decentering is a potent mechanism for reduction of relapse in major depression, albeit one that is nonspecific to MBCT. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for Association Between Decentering and Reductions in Relapse/Recurrence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Supplemental Material for Association Between Decentering and Reductions in Relapse/Recurrence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in people with dementia: A qualitative study on participant, carer and facilitator experiences.

BackgroundDepression in dementia is common and associated with negative health outcomes. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a recommended treatment of choice for recurrent depression, but its use for depression in dementia is yet to be assessed.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the experiences of people with depression and dementia who participated in the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention and those of their carers and facilitators.MethodsThis qualitative study was nested within a randomised controlled feasibility study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 people (eight people with dementia and depression, six carers and four course facilitators). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.FindingsSeveral beneficial effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy were described. These were a sense of shared suffering among the group, greater present moment focus and awareness, various positive emotional changes, including greater self-compassion, and benefits for carers, such as the reduction of anxiety. Specific aspects of the programme were identified as particularly useful, including facilitator characteristics and certain mindfulness practices. Carer involvement, cognitive difficulties and barriers to home practice influenced engagement with the course. Facilitators described adaptations made to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and suggested additional modifications for future groups.ConclusionResults of this process evaluation suggest that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a potentially useful intervention for people with depression in dementia, but that further adaptation of the intervention is required to make the programme suitable for this clinical population.

PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES OF ADULTS WITH THE TECHNIQUE “INTERIORIZATION AND EXTERIORIZATION OF THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION”

PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES OF ADULTS WITH THE TECHNIQUE “INTERIORIZATION AND EXTERIORIZATION OF THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION”

Added value of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A Tree-based Qualitative Interaction Analysis

AimTo identify moderators of treatment effect for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) versus Treatment As Usual (TAU) in depressed patients. MethodsAn individual patient data-analysis was performed on three randomized-controlled trials, investigating the effect of MBCT + TAU versus TAU alone (N = 292). Patients were either in (partial) remission, currently depressed or had chronic, treatment-resistant depression. Outcomes were depressive symptoms and quality of life. The QUalitative INteraction Trees (QUINT) method was used to identify subgroups that benefited more from either condition. ResultsMBCT + TAU outperformed TAU in reducing depressive symptoms. For both conditions, the effect of baseline depressive symptoms on post-treatment depressive symptoms was curvilinear. QUINT analyses revealed that MBCT + TAU was more beneficial than TAU for patients with an earlier onset and higher rumination levels in terms of depressive symptom reduction and for patients with a lower quality of life in terms of improving quality of life. ConclusionsThe results suggest that MBCT might be more beneficial for those with earlier onset and higher levels of rumination and for patients with a lower quality of life. Sophisticated analytical techniques such as QUINT can be used in future research to improve personalized assignment of MBCT to patients. Long-term outcome could also be integrated in this.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy delays depressive relapse across demographic subgroups

ABSTRACT FROM: Kuyken W, Warren FC, Taylor RS, et al. Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in prevention of depressive relapse: an individual patient data meta-analysis from randomized trials. JAMA Psychiatry...

Teacher Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression and Its Relation to Treatment Outcome

As mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) becomes an increasingly mainstream approach for recurrent depression, there is a growing need for practitioners who are able to teach MBCT. The requirements for being competent as a mindfulness-based teacher include personal meditation practice and at least a year of additional professional training. This study is the first to investigate the relationship between MBCT teacher competence and several key dimensions of MBCT treatment outcomes. Patients with recurrent depression in remission (N = 241) participated in a multi-centre trial of MBCT, provided by 15 teachers. Teacher competence was assessed using the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) based on two to four randomly selected video-recorded sessions of each of the 15 teachers, evaluated by 16 trained assessors. Results showed that teacher competence was not significantly associated with adherence (number of MBCT sessions attended), possible mechanisms of change (rumination, cognitive reactivity, mindfulness, and self-compassion), or key outcomes (depressive symptoms at post treatment and depressive relapse/recurrence during the 15-month follow-up). Thus, findings from the current study indicate no robust effects of teacher competence, as measured by the MBI:TAC, on possible mediators and outcome variables in MBCT for recurrent depression. Possible explanations are the standardized delivery of MBCT, the strong emphasis on self-reliance within the MBCT learning process, the importance of participant-related factors, the difficulties in assessing teacher competence, the absence of main treatment effects in terms of reducing depressive symptoms, and the relatively small selection of videotapes. Further work is required to systematically investigate these explanations.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: trends and developments.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was developed as a psychological intervention for individuals at risk of depressive relapse. Possible mechanisms of change for this intervention are in line with its theoretical underpinnings, and include increases in mindfulness and/or decreases in negative repetitive thoughts. This review provides an overview of current trends in MBCT research, including efficacy and questions regarding the specific effects of MBCT in light of recent comparisons with structurally equivalent control conditions, mechanisms of change, and moderators of treatment outcome. In addition, future directions are discussed, such as challenges with training an adequate number of therapists and disseminating this therapy.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, Current Episodes, and Prevention of Relapse

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) teaches the patient to recognize a deteriorating mood with the goal of avoiding self-perpetuating patterns of ruminative, negative thoughts and thus depressive disorders. MBCT was initially conceived as an intervention to prevent relapse of major depression, but it has since been studied in patients with current episodes of depression. MBCT has been shown to nearly halve the risk of relapse in persons currently well with a history of at least 3 prior episodes of depression and is comparable to the use of an antidepressant in preventing recurrence. Although theoretical drawbacks exist to using MBCT in a currently depressed patient, randomized controlled data suggest it may be as effective in currently depressed patients as those in remission and similar in efficacy to cognitive-behavioral therapy.

The effectiveness of “Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy” on psycho-social performance of chronic low back pain patients (CLBP)

The effectiveness of “Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy” on psycho-social performance of chronic low back pain patients (CLBP)

The Process of Engaging in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as a Partnership: A Grounded Theory Study

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been evidenced as a relapse prevention strategy for depression. Depression often influences and is influenced by intimate partnerships; thus, it makes sense to include both individuals in interventions. This study aimed to develop a theory of the process of engaging in MBCT as a partnership. As there was no theory or research that could be directly applied to understand the process of engaging in MBCT for depression, as a partnership, an exploratory grounded theory study seemed appropriate to generate rich data and a theory. Twelve participants who had attended an MBCT course as a partnership were interviewed. Analysis and interviews ran simultaneously, so that initial findings influenced subsequent data collection. Constant comparison of data and higher-level concepts facilitated the generation of a theory grounded in the data. The proposed theory captured the ‘process of learning new mindfulness skills together’. The partnership’s rationale for pursuing MBCT together seemed to influence engagement with the course. Participants’ accounts suggested that learning mindfulness skills together led to shifts in the relationship and how they managed depression. While partnerships learned similar mindfulness skills as in individual MBCT courses, learning as a partnership seemed to facilitate home practice, attendance and a sense of mutual support, which led to unique outcomes for the partnership and their sense of responsibility for each others’ well-being. It may be helpful for course facilitators to consider inviting intimate partners to attend where both partners are suffering or there is a willing partnership.

Book review: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression

Book review: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in adolescents.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be effective in preventing relapse of depression in adults, but has not previously been applied to adolescents who have residual symptoms of depression following treatment. An 8-week MBCT group was adapted for adolescents, and evaluated using qualitative and quantitative measures. Participants report high levels of satisfaction with the group intervention. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews provides areas for future development of this intervention. Pilot data indicate reductions in depressive symptoms, alongside positive change in mindfulness skills, quality of life and rumination. Preliminary evidence for the use of MBCT with this group of adolescents is provided.

Embodied reflection in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression.

The prime objective of this study was to explore an initial operationalization of embodied reflection in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The concept of embodied reflection, derived from a phenomenological frame of reference, is presented. The implications of an embodied reflection perspective for understanding how body awareness in MBCT fosters therapeutic change are discussed. This article presents the results of a small-scale exploratory qualitative study illustrating processes of embodied reflection for different subgroups of MBCT participants. The analysis suggests that different subgroups are able to harness body awareness in different ways depending on their precourse strategy for avoiding emotional experience. It is proposed that further exploration and refinement of the processes of embodied reflection will enhance clinical practice and treatment outcomes.

Event-related brain potentials reflect increased concentration ability after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A randomized clinical trial

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) effectively prevents relapse/recurrence in major depression. The ability to deploy and maintain attention on a particular focus is considered as a prerequisite for ‘mindful’, ‘metacognitive’ awareness, and hence crucial for therapy success. Accordingly, sustained concentration is the skill most extensively taught in MBCT. The goal of the present study was to test whether this ability increases after MBCT, as assumed. The late component of the contingent negative variation (CNV), an event-related brain potential (ERP), known to reflect the allocation of attentional resources, was used as the measure of concentration ability. In the main phase of the study, 91 recurrently depressed patients in remission were randomly assigned to eight-week treatment by either MBCT or waiting (WAIT for delayed MBCT). The CNV response to an auditory test stimulus was measured pre- and post-treatment in a ‘mindfulness task’, in which patients were instructed to focus on their breath, as taught in MBCT. The late CNV (LCNV) was increased only after MBCT (and not after WAIT). This result reflects patients' improved ability to shift their attention toward current moment experience and away from potentially depressogenic thinking or rumination during mild dysphoric states—a known risk factor for depressive relapse/recurrence.

Cognitive Predictors of Change in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression

An appreciation of cognitive predictors of change in treatment outcome may help to better understand differential treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine how rumination and mindfulness impact on treatment outcome in two group-based interventions for non-melancholic depression: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Sixty-nine participants were randomly allocated to either 8-weekly sessions of group CBT or MBCT. Complete data were obtained from 45 participants (CBT = 26, MBCT = 19). Outcome was assessed at completion of group treatments. Depression scores improved for participants in both group interventions, with no significant differences between the two treatment conditions. There were no significant differences between the interventions at post-treatment on mindfulness or rumination scores. Rumination scores significantly decreased from pre- to post-treatment for both conditions. In the MBCT condition, post-treatment rumination scores were significantly associated with post-treatment mindfulness scores. Results suggest that decreases in rumination scores may be a common feature following both CBT and MBCT interventions. However, post-treatment rumination scores were associated with post-treatment mindfulness in the MBCT condition, suggesting a unique role for mindfulness in understanding treatment outcome for MBCT.

Mechanisms of Change in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Preliminary Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an effective treatment for reducing depressive relapse as well as residual depressive symptoms among adults with recurrent depression but the specific mechanisms through which this treatment works have yet to be examined. This study investigated MBCT's immediate (pre to post) effects on depressive symptoms and its potential theory-driven change mechanisms in a wait-list randomized control trial. Recurrently depressed patients, the majority of them in partial remission, were randomized to either an 8-week MBCT group (N = 26) or a wait-list control group (N = 19). Participants completed measures of depressive symptoms as well as measures of rumination and trait mindfulness before and after the intervention. Consistent with the MBCT change theory, bootstrapping-based mediation analyses demonstrated that reductions in brooding (an aspect of rumination) and increases in mindfulness independently and uniquely (accounting for other mediators) mediated the effects of ...

Distance delivery of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: Project UPLIFT

This study evaluated the efficacy of a newly developed, home-based depression intervention for people with epilepsy. Based on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), the eight-session, weekly intervention was designed for group delivery via the Internet or telephone. Forty participants were randomly assigned to intervention or waitlist. Depressive symptoms and other outcomes were measured at baseline, after intervening in the intervention group (~ 8 weeks), and after intervening in the waitlist group (~ 16 weeks). Depressive symptoms decreased significantly more in the intervention group than the waitlist group; Internet and telephone did not differ. This effect persisted over the 8 weeks when those waitlisted received the intervention. Knowledge/skills increased significantly more in the intervention than the waitlist group. All other changes, though not significant, were in the expected direction. Findings indicate that distance delivery of group MBCT can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression in people with epilepsy. Directions for future research are proposed.

Book Review: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. A New Approach to Preventing Relapse

Book Review: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. A New Approach to Preventing Relapse