Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme for depression in people with early stages of dementia: study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study
Pilot and Feasibility Studies August 14, 2018 Elisa Aguirre, Josh Stott, Georgina Charlesworth et al.
Depression and dementia are major public health problems, and depression in early-stage dementia is common, reducing quality of life and speeding cognitive decline. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an effective depression prevention programme, and emerging evidence suggests adapted mindfulness interventions may benefit people with dementia by reducing depressive symptoms and slowing deterioration in cognitive functions such as sustained attention and task switching. This single-blind randomised controlled feasibility trial will recruit participants with mild to moderate depression and early-stage dementia from memory services, giving them immediate or delayed access to an 8-week MBCT programme. The study will test trial design, recruitment, retention, acceptability, and adherence, and provide preliminary efficacy data to inform a future full RCT.