Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on self-reported suicidal ideation: results from a randomised controlled trial in patients with residual depressive symptoms.
Thomas Forkmann, Marieke Wichers, Nicole Geschwind, Frenk Peeters, Jim van Os, Verena Mainz, Dina Collip
Comprehensive Psychiatry November 2014 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.08.043 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open-label randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 130 |
| Population | Patients with residual depressive symptoms |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) treatment as usual |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCT produced a significant reduction in suicidal ideation compared with a wait list, and this group-by-time interaction held after controlling for changes in depression, worry, rumination, and mindfulness. Change in worry was the only covariate associated with change in suicidal ideation and moderately reduced the effect size, suggesting the effect may be partly mediated by an enhanced capacity to distance from worrying thoughts. |
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on suicidal ideation in an open-label randomised controlled trial of patients with residual depressive symptoms. Furthermore, this study aimed at examining whether an effect of MBCT on suicidal ideation was dependent on a reduction in depression severity, worry and rumination, or an increase in mindfulness. One hundred and thirty participants were randomised to a treatment arm (treatment as usual plus MBCT) or a wait list arm. Change in depression, change in worry, change in rumination and change in mindfulness were entered as covariates in a repeated measures ANOVA in order to assess to what degree MBCT-induced changes in suicidal ideation were independent from changes in these parameters. There was a significant group×time (pre vs. post) interaction on suicidal ideation indicating a significant reduction of suicidal ideation in the MBCT group, but not in the control group. The interaction remained significant after addition of the above covariates. Change in worry was the only covariate associated with change in suicidal ideation, causing a moderate reduction in the interaction effect size. The results suggest that MBCT may affect suicidal ideation in patients with residual depressive symptoms and that this effect may be mediated, in part, by participants' enhanced capacity to distance themselves from worrying thoughts.
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 18
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in patients with depression: current perspectives Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment June 1, 2018
- Perceptions of Adjunctive Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Prevent Suicidal Behavior Among High Suicide-Risk Outpatient Participants Crisis May 31, 2018
- A cross-sectional study on the influence of emotion regulation strategies on the association between trait mindfulness and suicidality BMC Psychology April 5, 2025
- Vairagya and adaptability as psychological buffers: yogic perspective on coping with grief and loss International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health September 30, 2025
- Meditation for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review RAND Corporation eBooks 2015
and 13 more in the library
Cites 15
- 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
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- 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
and 10 more in the library