A Maturing Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Reflects on Two Critical Issues
Z. Segal, Sona Dimidjian, Rachel Vanderkruik, Joseph J. Lévy
Current Opinion in Psychology January 28, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.01.015 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy combines mindfulness meditation with cognitive theory to treat recurrent mood disorders. Despite strong evidence for its effectiveness, MBCT is not widely used in routine clinical or population health settings. Two key questions remain unresolved: how important is home practice of mindfulness skills for achieving benefits, and what role can digital platforms play in delivering mindfulness programs. Answering these questions could improve future research and practice, helping contemplative practices support self-care.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology Medicine |
| Key finding | MBCT is effective for recurrent mood disorders but underutilized in clinical and population health settings; the roles of home practice and digital delivery need further investigation. |
Abstract
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is a multimodal intervention that integrates training in mindfulness meditation and the cognitive theory of affective disorder. This hybrid nature may provide an advantage in the prevention field that addresses the critical need for enhancing wellness among people with recurrent mood disorders. Despite the robust evidence base for MBCT, its penetration at the population health level and in routine clinical settings has been limited. Addressing the gap between the science of MBCT and public access requires grappling with two questions: what is the role of home practice of mindfulness skills in realizing the benefits of MBCT? And, what role do digital platforms play in the delivery of mindfulness programs? Addressing these two questions is overdue in the field and the answers generated have the potential to optimize future research and practice on the ways in which contemplative practices can support agentic self-care.