Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on depression and anxiety in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jieping Ding, Zafar Mehnaz Ali, Ateya Megahed Ibrahim, Mohamed Hussein Ramadan Atta, Mohamad Ahmad Saleem Khasawneh, Fatma Magdi Ibrahim
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry April 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2026.102105 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 178 |
| Population | Adults aged 60 years or older |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Older adults Systematic review |
| Key findings | MBCT was associated with significantly lower depressive symptom severity than control conditions in older adults (pooled Hedges g = -0.92, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.55). |
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent mental health issue among older adults, often exacerbated by chronic illness, social isolation, and age-related cognitive changes. Standard treatments (e.g., pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy) may not always be effective, acceptable, or accessible for this population. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy and may offer a scalable, non-pharmacological approach to late-life depression. To evaluate the effectiveness of MBCT on depressive symptoms in adults aged ≥60 years. Secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms and quality-of-life indicators when reported. We searched PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MBCT with control conditions in adults aged ≥60 years. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (Hedges g) for depressive symptom severity across scales. Because fewer than 10 studies were available per outcome, publication bias was not formally assessed. Three RCTs (total n = 178) met inclusion criteria. Two RCTs (n = 121) contributed data to the post-intervention meta-analysis of depressive symptoms. MBCT was associated with significantly lower depressive symptom severity than control conditions (pooled Hedges g = -0.92, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.55; I2 = 0%). Evidence for anxiety and quality-of-life outcomes was limited and could not be pooled; no eligible trials reported relapse/recurrence outcomes. MBCT may reduce depressive symptoms in older adults compared with control conditions, but the evidence base remains small and heterogeneous in measures and comparators. Larger, methodologically rigorous trials with standardized outcomes and longer follow-up are needed to clarify effectiveness for anxiety, quality of life, and durability of effects.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 11
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- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Depression and Anxiety in Late Life: A Meta-Analysis. Alpha psychiatry 2024
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