Patients with a preference for medication do equally well in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent depression as those preferring mindfulness.
Marloes J. Huijbers, Philip Spinhoven, Digna J F Van Schaik, Willem A Nolen, Anne E. M. Speckens
Journal of Affective Disorders May 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.01.041 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of two parallel randomized controlled trials Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 317 |
| Population | Patients with recurrent depression participating in two parallel randomized controlled trials (n=249 preferring MBCT; n=68 preferring mADM) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) maintenance antidepressant medication (mADM) |
| Duration | 15-month follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Antidepressant medication Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Relapse prevention Treatment preference |
| Key findings | Preference for mADM versus MBCT was associated with more previous depressive episodes and higher baseline mindfulness, but not with treatment adherence. Among patients receiving MBCT plus mADM, preference was not associated with relapse/recurrence, residual depressive symptom severity over 15 months, or quality of life; the authors argue this supports MBCT's applicability for recurrent depression. |
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that patients' treatment preferences may influence treatment outcome. The current study investigated whether preference for either mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) or maintenance antidepressant medication (mADM) to prevent relapse in recurrent depression was associated with patients' characteristics, treatment adherence, or treatment outcome of MBCT. The data originated from two parallel randomised controlled trials, the first comparing the combination of MBCT and mADM to MBCT in patients preferring MBCT (n=249), the second comparing the combination to mADM alone in patients preferring mADM (n=68). Patients' characteristics were compared across the trials (n=317). Subsequently, adherence and clinical outcomes were compared for patients who all received the combination (n=154). Patients with a preference for mADM reported more previous depressive episodes and higher levels of mindfulness at baseline. Preference did not affect adherence to either MBCT or mADM. With regard to treatment outcome of MBCT added to mADM, preference was not associated with relapse/recurrence (χ(2)=0.07; p=.80), severity of (residual) depressive symptoms during the 15-month follow-up period (β=-0.08, p=.49), or quality of life. The group preferring mADM was relatively small. The influence of preferences on outcome may have been limited in the current study because both preference groups received both interventions. The fact that patients with a preference for medication did equally well as those with a preference for mindfulness supports the applicability of MBCT for recurrent depression. Future studies of MBCT should include measures of preferences to increase knowledge in this area.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effects of Remotely Delivered and Web-Based Interventions on Depression Severity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mental Health August 4, 2026
- Meta-Analysis: The Use of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression Symptoms Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy June 1, 2024
- A Novel, Brief, Fully Automated Intervention to Extend the Antidepressant Effect of a Single Ketamine Infusion: A Randomized Clinical Trial American Journal of Psychiatry September 21, 2022
Cites 8
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- Adding mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to maintenance antidepressant medication for prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depressive disorder: Randomised controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders November 15, 2015
- Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared with maintenance antidepressant treatment in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence (PREVENT): a randomised controlled trial The Lancet July 4, 2015
and 3 more in the library