Acceptability and Feasibility of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study
Milou M Ter Avest, Loes HC Nissen, Sabien JE Bosman, Ilse Dijkman, Anne EM Speckens, Marloes J. Huijbers
Mindfulness August 14, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02948-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods study embedded in a multicenter randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Adults with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) participating in MBCT groups |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT04646785 |
| Key findings | The primary reason for participation was to improve coping with stress and mental health problems, often alongside reducing physical symptoms. Active invitation by healthcare providers encouraged enrolment, while lack of need for psychological care and time constraints were prominent reasons for non-participation. Facilitators included peer support, online attendance, and personal commitment; barriers included time investment and disease activity/fatigue. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives The high psychological burden of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) underscores the need for effective and feasible psychological treatment options. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for adults with IBD.
Method: This mixed-methods study was embedded in a multicenter randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of MBCT in IBD. Reasons for participation were discussed in the context of the trial and reasons for non-participation were collected from one of the participating centers. Semi-structured in-depth interviews about facilitators and barriers were conducted with a purposive sample of 22 participants from the MBCT groups. For triangulation purposes, participant observation and a focus group with involved mindfulness teachers were incorporated. Themes were interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: The primary reason for participation was to improve coping with stress and mental health problems, often alongside reducing physical symptoms and disease activity. Active invitation of the healthcare provider encouraged enrolment. Lack of need for psychological care and time constraints were prominent reasons for non-participation. Facilitators included peer support, the possibility to attend online, and personal commitment. Barriers included time investment and the impact of disease activity and fatigue.
Conclusions: This study can serve as a base for refining MBCT to optimize accessibility for IBD patients. Recommendations included the active involvement of healthcare providers in suggesting MBCT to patients and the use of digital (self-help) alternatives for those who prefer self-scheduled practice over peer support and therapist-led engagement. Preregistration The trial was registered on November 30, 2020, at ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT04646785.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
- Does practice quality mediate the relationship between practice time and outcome in mindfulness-based stress reduction? Journal of Counseling Psychology July 25, 2019
- Group-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Reduce Psychological Distress and Improve Sleep in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (MindIBD). Inflammatory bowel diseases July 14, 2025
- Integrating Virtual Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care: Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial. JMIR Formative Research May 6, 2024
and 10 more in the library