Rumination as a predictor of relapse in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression.
Johannes Michalak, Anne Hölz, Tobias Teismann
Psychology and psychotherapy June 2011 DOI: 10.1348/147608310x520166 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Uncontrolled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Formerly depressed patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 12-month follow-up after end of MBCT |
| Measures | Ruminative Response Scale, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key points | Rumination significantly decreased during MBCT, and post-treatment rumination levels predicted relapse risk over 12 months, even after controlling for previous episodes and residual symptoms. The authors propose this as preliminary evidence that rumination plays a role in depressive relapse. |
Abstract
In mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), it is proposed that training in mindfulness should reduce the tendency of formerly depressed patients to enter into ruminative thinking, thus reducing their risk of depressive relapse. However, data showing that rumination is associated with depressive relapse are lacking. In an uncontrolled study with 24 formerly depressed patients, rumination was assessed with the Ruminative Response Scale. To assess the occurrence of relapse or recurrence, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV was administered 12 months after the end of the MBCT. Rumination significantly decreased during the MBCT course. Post-treatment levels of rumination predicted the risk of relapse of major depressive disorder in the 12-month follow-up period even after controlling for numbers of previous episodes and residual depressive symptoms. The results provide preliminary evidence that rumination is important in the process of depressive relapse.