For adults with treatment-resistant depression, adding mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to usual pharmacotherapy produced a significantly greater reduction in depression severity (36.6% vs. 25.3% on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and a higher rate of treatment responders (30.3% vs. 15.3%) after eight weeks, compared with an active control program of physical fitness, music therapy, and nutritional education. Remission rates did not differ significantly between groups (22.4% vs. 13.9%). Higher state anxiety, perceived stress, and personality disorder were associated with worse outcomes. MBCT appears to be a viable adjunctive treatment for treatment-resistant depression.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) added to antidepressant medication is no more effective than a control program (Health-Enhancement Program, HEP) for reducing depression severity in adults with treatment-resistant depression. Adults with moderate to severe depression who had not responded to at least two antidepressant trials were randomly assigned to either MBCT or HEP, both as add-ons to their usual medication. After 8 weeks, changes in depression severity, response rates, and remission rates were measured. Participants were followed for one year. The study addresses the need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for treatment-resistant depression, which affects up to 40% of depressed patients.