LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY IN RECURRENTLY DEPRESSED PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE AT BASELINE.
Joël R Van Aalderen, A Rogier T Donders, Karlijn Peffer, Anne E. M. Speckens
Depression and Anxiety August 2015 DOI: 10.1002/da.22369 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 182 |
| Population | Patients with three or more previous depressive episodes, either in remission or currently depressed at the start of the original trial |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week treatment course and 1-year follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Long-term outcome Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Recurrent depressive disorder |
| Key findings | Among 182 patients with recurrent depression, MBCT was followed by decreases in depression and rumination and increases in mindfulness and quality of life during treatment; depressive symptoms, mindfulness, and quality of life remained stable over 1 year while rumination further decreased. Remitted and depressed patients at baseline did not differ in outcomes, suggesting that currently depressed patients need not be excluded from MBCT. |
Abstract
In a previous randomized controlled trial in patients with three or more previous depressive episodes, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) appeared to be equally effective in those who were depressed and those who were in remission at the start of the trial. The aim of this study is to compare the 1-year outcome of MBCT in 124 remitted and 58 depressed patients who participated in the original trial and who were all offered MBCT either immediately or after a waiting period of 3 months. The course of depressive symptoms, rumination, mindfulness skills, and quality of life over the course of treatment and the 1-year follow-up period was analyzed. Linear mixed modeling was used to compare the outcome between remitted and depressed patients at baseline. In the whole sample, levels of depression and rumination decreased and mindfulness and quality of life increased over treatment. Levels of depressive symptoms, mindfulness, and quality of life remained stable over the 1-year follow-up period. Rumination further decreased. Remitted and depressed patients at the start of the trial did not differ in terms of outcome during or after treatment. Long-term outcome after MBCT in depressed patients was comparable to those who were in remission at the start of the trial. These findings lend further support to the notion that recurrent depressed patients meeting the criteria of a depressive episode do not need to be excluded from MBCT.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prophylaxis Current Opinion in Psychiatry December 11, 2015
- A Pilot Study of the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Positive Affect and Social Anxiety Symptoms Frontiers in Psychology June 1, 2018
- Rumination and Self-Compassion Moderate Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Patients With Recurrent and Persistent Major Depressive Disorder: A Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety 2024
- A Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Binge Eating, Self-Compassion, and Mindfulness in Brazilian Women With Weight Regain After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Pilot Feasibility Study. Obesity Surgery February 23, 2026
- Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for youth with inflammatory bowel disease and depression - Findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research August 2, 2021
and 6 more in the library
Cites 10
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness training increases momentary positive emotions and reward experience in adults vulnerable to depression: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology July 18, 2011
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing relapse in recurrent depression: A randomized dismantling trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 3, 2013
- Mindfulness-based interventions for people diagnosed with a current episode of an anxiety or depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PLoS One June 15, 2016
and 5 more in the library