Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on the management of depressive disorder: Systematic review

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduces depressive symptoms, lowers depression relapse rates, and improves mindfulness. A systematic review of 15 experimental studies (14 randomized, 1 non-randomized) published between 2009 and 2019 found consistent evidence that MBCT is effective for managing depression. The therapy helps people better understand and manage thoughts and emotions. The findings support MBCT as a promising addition to depression management, and can guide nurses and mental health practitioners on its efficacy and suitable patient populations.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed to prevent relapse in people with depressive disorders, and it help individuals better understand and manage their thoughts and emotions in order to achieve relief from feelings. Objective: The objective of this paper is to review and evaluate the effectiveness of MBCT on the management of depression. Method: To find appropriate studies, the electronic search of the following databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline CINAHL, Ebsco Host, Google scholar, and AJOL) using the keywords mindfulness, depression, depressive disorders and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy between 2009 and 2019 was done. Studies that showed empirical evidence, were an experimental study (randomized and non-randomized) and whose full text was available were evaluated. Result: Fifteen articles were identified, out of fifteen, fourteen were randomized while one study was a non-randomized study. Based on the analysis, the most solid outcomes for all published articles were that MBCT leads to a decrease in depressive symptoms, reduction in depression relapse rate and improvement in terms of mindfulness. Conclusion: There was a piece of great evidence that MBCT has a better outcome, the MBCT presented as a promising addition for the management of depression. Researchers need to shape inadequate time points in the study designs so as to be able to regulate the form and temporal sequencing of change. Finally, findings from this systematic review can be used by nurses and other mental health practitioners on the efficacy and patient population which best respond to the MBCT technique.