Skip to content

The mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy adherence scale: inter‐rater reliability, adherence to protocol and treatment distinctiveness

Zindel V. Segal, John D. Teasdale, Jane Williams, Michael Gemar

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy March 1, 2002 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.320 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational (scale development and validation) Peer reviewed
Population Therapists delivering group MBCT and group CBT for Major Depressive Disorder
Topics Meditation
Keywords Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Cognition
Citations 420
Key findings The MBCT-AS can be used reliably, MBCT therapists adhered to the protocol, and MBCT is distinguishable from CBT on adherence measures.

Abstract

Abstract The development of the Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy Adherence Scale (MBCT‐AS) is described. This 17‐item scale measures therapist adherence to the treatment protocol for Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), a treatment for the prevention of recurrence in Major Depressive Disorder. The MBCT‐AS assesses therapist behaviours specific to (MBCT) as well as therapy practices that MBCT shares with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). To determine the utility of this scale, we compared delivery of group MBCT against group CBT, with independent ratings of taped sessions provided to measure adherence to MBCT and CBT for therapists in both groups. The results showed that: (a) raters can reliably use the MBCT‐AS; (b) MBCT therapists demonstrated adherence to the treatment protocol, as measured by the MBCT‐AS; and (c) MBCT is distinguishable from CBT on both the MBCT‐AS and a scale measuring adherence to CBT (CBT‐AS). These findings indicate that the MBCT‐AS may be a useful tool for ensuring the proper delivery of MBCT in future research, and may be helpful in determining the elements of MBCT that are unique to that treatment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Explore topics