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'I had a sort of epiphany!' An exploratory study of group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for older people with depression.

Caroline M Williams, Frances Meeten, Susan Whiting

Aging & Mental Health February 2018 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1247415 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 13
Population People aged 65 years and over who took part in an MBCT course, plus two MBCT course facilitators
Intervention Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
Duration Interviews pre- and post-intervention and again after six months
Topics Depression Meditation
Keywords Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Older people Well-being
Key findings Older participants reported positive changes in mental health and well-being after MBCT and described being 'released from the past'. Facilitators reported that only minor adaptations to the standard MBCT course were needed for older people, though they needed to be aware of later-life issues such as loneliness and physical limitations. The authors conclude MBCT is an acceptable approach for people aged 65 and over.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been successful in reducing depressive symptoms in people with chronic-recurrent depression. However, the research evaluating the efficacy of this approach, and other innovative treatments for mood disorders, has mainly been with people under 65 years. This paper aims to help redress this imbalance by exploring older people's own reflections of their experience of MBCT. A qualitative approach was used to explore 13 participants' experiences of MBCT; participants were interviewed pre and post-intervention and again after six months. To see whether the standard course requires any adaptations for older participants, the two MBCT course facilitators were interviewed post-intervention. Thematic analysis identified five overarching themes and showed that older people reported positive changes in their mental health and well-being and reported being 'released from the past'. The facilitators reported that they needed to be aware of later life issues, such as loneliness and potential physical limitations, but otherwise only minor adaptations were needed to the standard MBCT course for older people. MBCT is an acceptable approach for people aged 65 years and over and further research should explore potential mechanisms of change including changes in meta-cognitive awareness and self-compassion.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on depression, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression enrolled in an open-label trial of psilocybin 2017 Qualitative study n = 20
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Ketamine for Depression, 4: In What Dose, at What Rate, by What Route, for How Long, and at What Frequency? 2017 Qualitative review
Abnormal Time Experiences in Major Depression: An Empirical Qualitative Study Patients affected by affective and schizophrenic disorders 2016 Qualitative study n = 550

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Depression Meditation