A Preliminary Study: Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Sertraline as First-line Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder.
Stuart J. Eisendrath, Erin P Gillung, Kevin L. Delucchi, Daniel H. Mathalon, Tony T. Yang, Derek D Satre, Rebecca Rosser, Walter E B Sipe, Owen M Wolkowitz
Mindfulness June 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-014-0280-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open-label, nonrandomized controlled trial (pilot study) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Patients with acute major depressive disorder |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) sertraline |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Measures | 17-item clinician-rated Hamilton Depression Severity Rating Scale (HAMD-17), 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR16) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Antidepressants Cognitive therapy Sertraline |
| Key findings | Both MBCT and sertraline monotherapy produced significant improvement in depression over 8 weeks, with no difference between groups on the clinician-rated HAMD-17. The MBCT group showed greater improvement on the self-rated QIDS-SR16, which the authors suggest may reflect additional subjective benefit from enhanced self-efficacy skills. |
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability in the developed world, yet broadly effective treatments remain elusive. The primary aim of this pilot study was to investigate the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) monotherapy, compared to sertraline monotherapy, for patients with acute MDD. This open-label, nonrandomized controlled trial examined a MBCT cohort (N=23) recruited to match the gender, age, and depression severity of a depressed control group (N=20) that completed 8 weeks of monotherapy with the antidepressant sertraline. The 17-item clinician-rated Hamilton Depression Severity Rating Scale (HAMD-17) was the primary outcome measure of depression to assess overall change after 8 weeks and rates of response and remission. The 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR16) was the secondary outcome measure to further assess depression severity. Both cohorts were demographically similar and showed significant improvement in depression ratings. No difference was found in the degree of change in HAMD-17 scores (t(34) = 1.42, p = .165) between groups. Secondary analysis showed statistically significant differences in mean scores of the QIDS-SR16 (t (32) = 4.39, p < 0.0001), with the MCBT group showing greater mean improvement. This study was limited by the small sample size and non-randomized, non-blinded design. Preliminary findings suggest that an 8-week course of MBCT monotherapy may be effective in treating MDD and a viable alternative to antidepressant medication. Greater changes in the self-rated QIDS-SR16 for the MBCT cohort raise the possibility that patients derive additional subjective benefit from enhanced self-efficacy skills.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- 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
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prophylaxis Current Opinion in Psychiatry December 11, 2015
- Understanding the variability in ketamine’s efficacy in managing treatment-resistant depression Discover Psychology November 3, 2024
- Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy with Hospitalized Depressed Individuals–The Temporal Order of Change in Mindfulness, Rumination, and Affect Journal of Happiness Studies August 1, 2025
- Desvenlafaxine with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduces Hamilton anxiety scores compared to escitalopram with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior March 1, 2025
and 9 more in the library
Cites 17
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a treatment for chronic depression: A preliminary study Behaviour Research and Therapy February 13, 2009
and 12 more in the library