Metta-based group meditation and individual cognitive behavioral therapy (MeCBT) for chronic depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Artjom Frick, Isabel Thinnes, Ulrich Stangier
Trials January 6, 2020 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3815-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Chronically depressed patients |
| Duration | 8-week group meditation, 8 fortnightly individual CBT sessions, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation Depression |
| Keywords | Chronic depression Cognitive behavioral therapy Loving kindness meditation Metta Persistent depressive disorder Randomized controlled trial |
| Key findings | The study expects a significant decline in depressive symptoms at T2 compared to the wait-list control group. |
Abstract
Depression is a widespread disorder with severe impacts for individuals and society, especially in its chronic form. Current treatment approaches for persistent depression have focused primarily on reducing negative affect and have paid little attention to promoting positive affect. Previous studies have shown that metta meditation increases positive affect in chronically depressed patients. Results from previous trials provide evidence for the efficacy of a stand-alone metta meditation group treatment in combination with mindfulness-based approaches. Further research is needed to better understand the implementation of meditation practice into everyday life. Therefore, mindfulness and metta meditation in a group setting are combined with individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into a new, low-intensity, cost-effective treatment ("MeCBT") for chronic depression. In this single-center, randomized, observer-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial we will test the efficacy of MeCBT in reducing depression compared to a wait-list control condition. Forty-eight participants in a balanced design will be allocated randomly to a treatment group or a wait-list control group. Metta-based group meditation will be offered in eight weekly sessions and one additional half-day retreat. Subsequent individual CBT will be conducted in eight fortnightly sessions. Outcome measures will be assessed at four time points: before intervention (T0); after group meditation (T1); after individual CBT (T2); and, in the treated group only, at 6-month follow-up (T3). Changes in depressive symptoms (clinician rating), assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS-C) are the primary outcome. We expect a significant decline of depressive symptoms at T2 compared to the wait-list control group. Secondary outcome measures include self-rated depression, mindfulness, benevolence, rumination, emotion regulation, social connectedness, social functioning, as well as behavioral and cognitive avoidance. We will explore changes at T1 and T2 in all these secondary outcome variables. To our knowledge this is the first study to combine a group program focusing on Metta meditation with state-of-the art individual CBT specifically tailored to chronic depression. Implications for further refinement and examination of the treatment program are discussed. ISRCTN, ISRCTN97264476. Registered 29 March 2018 (applied on 14 December 2017)-retrospectively registered.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Metta-Based Therapy for Chronic Depression: a Wait List Control Trial Mindfulness October 8, 2021
- Beyond mindfulness: how Buddhist meditation transforms consciousness through distinct psychological pathways. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Self-related processing removal or revision? The Buddhist theory of no-self and the mechanisms of mindfulness Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences June 7, 2025
- Using chills-inducing music to augment self-transcendence, emotional breakthrough, and psychological insight during mindfulness and loving kindness meditation. Frontiers in Psychology 2026
Cites 18
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- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
and 13 more in the library