Combining Loving Kindness group meditation with individual therapy focused on kindness toward oneself and others (metta-based therapy, MBT) reduced depressive symptoms more than a wait list control in patients with chronic depression. Forty-eight patients with persistent depressive disorder were randomly assigned to MBT or a wait list. After group meditation and at 6-month follow-up, MBT showed greater improvements in clinician-rated and self-reported depression, behavioral activation, rumination, social functioning, mindfulness, and emotion regulation, with large effect sizes. Most gains occurred during group meditation and were maintained at follow-up. The results provide preliminary support for MBT's effectiveness.
A pilot test of a Metta-based group program delivered via video showed that teaching loving-kindness meditation to people with depression is feasible and well accepted. Eight patients with depressive disorder participated in the video-based intervention. Measures of therapeutic relationship quality, method implementation, and acceptance indicated that a sustainable therapeutic relationship could be established, meditation techniques could be taught, and a concentrated working atmosphere was possible. Participants accepted the video-based therapy well, and there were preliminary signs of clinical effectiveness. Further research on what moderates acceptance and effectiveness of video-based therapy is needed.