The efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a public mental health intervention for adults with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology: a randomized controlled trial.
Wendy T. M. Pots, Peter A M Meulenbeek, Martine M Veehof, Jorinde Klungers, Ernst T. Bohlmeijer
PLoS One 2014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109789 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pragmatic randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 151 |
| Population | Adults with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology recruited from the general population |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCT produced significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and experiential avoidance and improvements in mindfulness and mental health versus a waiting list, with effect sizes of Cohen's d = 0.31-0.56 sustained at 3 months. The likelihood of clinically significant change in depressive symptoms was higher in the MBCT group (odds ratio 3.026, NNT = 5.10). The authors conclude MBCT seems effective and applicable as a public mental health intervention in a natural setting. |
Abstract
Although there has been growing evidence for the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for different clinical populations, its effectiveness as a public mental health intervention has not been studied. The present study evaluates a community-based MBCT intervention for adults with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology in a large multi-site, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. The participants with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology were recruited from the general population and randomized to the MBCT intervention (n = 76) or to a waiting list control group (n = 75). Participants completed measures before and after the intervention. Participants in the experimental condition also completed these measures at a 3-month follow-up. In the experimental condition significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and experiential avoidance, and improvements in mindfulness and emotional- and psychological mental health were found, compared to the waiting list (effect sizes Cohen's d = 0.31-0.56). These effects were sustained at the 3-month follow-up. The likelihood of a clinically significant change in depressive symptoms was significantly higher for the MBCT group [odds ratio (OR) 3.026, p<0.01 at post-treatment; NNT = 5.10]. MBCT as a public mental health intervention for adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms seems effective and applicable in a natural setting. Nederlands Trial Register NTR2096.
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 15
- Meta-analytic evidence for effects of mindfulness training on dimensions of self-reported dispositional mindfulness. Psychological Assessment 2016
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prophylaxis Current Opinion in Psychiatry December 11, 2015
- The Efficacy and Durability of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine May 1, 2025
- Evaluation of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on the Quality of Life and Mental Health of Mothers of Deaf Children Journal of Modern Rehabilitation October 1, 2017
- The effects of mindfulness on eudaimonic well-being and its theoretical explanation Advances in Psychological Science 2023
and 10 more in the library
Cites 13
- 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
- How long does a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress Journal of Clinical Psychology March 23, 2009
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing relapse in recurrent depression: A randomized dismantling trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 3, 2013
and 8 more in the library