Turning Towards or Turning Away: A Comparison of Mindfulness Meditation and Guided Imagery Relaxation in Patients with Acute Depression.
Ana Costa, Thorsten Barnhofer
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy July 2016 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465815000387 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 37 |
| Population | Acutely depressed adults |
| Interventions | Mindfulness training Guided imagery relaxation |
| Duration | Single training session, daily practice over one week, one-week follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Decentring Emotion-regulation Imagery Relaxation |
| Key findings | Both brief mindfulness training and guided imagery relaxation reduced depressive symptoms and improved self-regulatory functioning over one week, with gains maintained at follow-up. When controlling for symptom change, the mindfulness group showed significantly greater improvement in emotion regulation at follow-up. The ability to decentre predicted initial symptom reduction, while mindfulness skills predicted maintenance of gains. |
Abstract
Disengaging from maladaptive thinking is an important imperative in the treatment of depression. Mindfulness training is aimed at helping patients acquire relevant skills for this purpose. It remains unclear, however, whether this practice is helpful when patients are acutely depressed. In order to investigate effects of mindfulness on symptoms and self-regulatory capacities in this group, the current study compared a brief training in mindfulness (n = 19) to guided imagery relaxation (n = 18). Participants were introduced to the respective techniques in a single session, and practised daily over one week. Self-reported severity of symptoms, difficulties in emotion-regulation, attentional control, the ability to decentre, and mindfulness were assessed pre and postintervention, and at a one-week follow-up. Symptoms of depression significantly decreased and self-regulatory functioning significantly increased in both groups, with changes being maintained during follow-up. When controlling for change in depressive symptoms, results showed significantly higher improvements in emotion regulation at follow-up in the mindfulness group. The ability to decentre predicted changes in symptoms from pre to postintervention, while mindfulness skills predicted changes in symptoms during the maintenance phase. The findings suggest that both practices can help to instigate reductions in symptoms and enhance self-regulatory functioning in depression. However, in order to improve emotion regulation above levels explained by reductions in symptoms more intentional mental training seems necessary. Furthermore, while the ability to disengage from negative patterns of thinking seems crucial for initial reduction of symptoms, maintenance of gains might require broader skills in mindfulness.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- The potential risks of opening the mind's eye with psychedelic therapies. Cortex October 1, 2025
- Mechanics of Mindfulness: Investigating Metacognitive Beliefs as a Pathway of Effect on Anxiety and Depression. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education June 12, 2025
- The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on emotion regulation/dysregulation in people with mental health conditions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis JCPP Advances February 12, 2026
- Accessible Meditation: Culturally Inclusive Practices for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities Mind-Body Practices in Healthcare July 3, 2025
- Role of Yoga and Mindfulness in Severe Mental Illnesses: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Yoga 2019
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