For people with recurrent depression, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduces the risk of depressive relapse within a 60-week follow-up period compared with usual care or other active treatments, including antidepressants. A meta-analysis of individual patient data from 9 randomized trials involving 1258 patients (mean age 47.1 years, 75% female) found that those receiving MBCT had a 31% lower risk of relapse versus no MBCT (hazard ratio 0.69), and a 21% lower risk versus other active treatments (hazard ratio 0.79). Sociodemographic and psychiatric variables did not significantly modify the treatment effect, but greater severity of depressive symptoms before treatment was associated with a larger benefit from MBCT.
A randomized controlled trial tested a version of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy adapted for suicidal individuals (MBCT-S) combined with treatment as usual against treatment as usual alone. Adults 18 or older with suicidal ideation participated. At a 12-week follow-up, those receiving MBCT-S showed significantly greater reductions in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. Within the intervention group, significant decreases occurred in suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, worrying, defeat, and entrapment, alongside increased mindfulness, both immediately after treatment and at follow-up. The findings suggest MBCT-S is a promising suicide-specific intervention that may reduce suicidal ideation and related factors.