Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in people with dementia: A qualitative study on participant, carer and facilitator experiences
Dementia September 24, 2021 Sarah Douglas, Joshua Stott, A. Spector et al.
People with dementia and depression, their carers, and course facilitators reported that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy had several beneficial effects, including a sense of shared suffering, greater present-moment awareness, positive emotional changes such as increased self-compassion, and reduced anxiety for carers. Specific aspects like facilitator characteristics and certain mindfulness practices were especially useful, while carer involvement, cognitive difficulties, and barriers to home practice affected engagement. Facilitators noted adaptations they made and suggested further modifications. The findings suggest mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is potentially useful for depression in dementia but requires additional adaptation.