Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) versus the health-enhancement program (HEP) for adults with treatment-resistant depression: a randomized control trial study protocol
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine March 11, 2014 S. Eisendrath, Erin P Gillung, K. Delucchi et al.
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.