Effects of a 12-Week Mindfulness, Compassion, and Loving Kindness Program on Chronic Depression: A Pilot Within-Subjects Wait-List Controlled Trial.
Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy January 1, 2016 Johannes Graser, Volkmar Höfling, Charlotte Weβlau et al.
A 12-week group program combining mindfulness exercises from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with compassion exercises from Compassion Focused Therapy and Loving Kindness Meditation reduced depression severity in 11 patients with chronic depression. Symptoms did not change during a 3-month waiting period but significantly decreased after treatment and further improved at a 3-month follow-up, with nearly large effect sizes. Emotion regulation improved, with increased acceptance and decreased suppression of emotions, and rumination about oneself also decreased at follow-up. Compassionate love and mindfulness increased, while no effects were found on self-compassion or self-esteem. The approach may improve treatment options for chronic depression if confirmed by further studies.