Combining emotion regulation and mindfulness skills for preventing depression relapse: a randomized-controlled study
Matilde Elices, Joaquim Soler, Albert Feliu-Soler, Cristina Carmona, T. Tiana, Juan C Pascual, A. García-Palacios, E. Álvarez
Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation July 5, 2017 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-017-0064-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Adults with major depressive disorder in complete or partial remission (79% female; mean age 52 years) |
| Intervention | psychoeducative program |
| Duration | 10-week treatment period, 1-year follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | The combined emotion regulation and mindfulness skills training was not more effective than psychoeducation in preventing depression relapse over one year. Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms and overall psychopathology in the combined training group, but neither intervention increased dispositional mindfulness. |
Abstract
BackgroundDialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills have become increasingly used to treat several psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention that combines emotion regulation and mindfulness skills of DBT to prevent depression relapse/recurrence.MethodsA total of 75 individuals (79% females; mean age, 52 years) with a diagnosis of MDD in complete or partial remission were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated either to an intervention combining emotion regulation and mindfulness skills (ER + M group, n = 37) or to a psychoeducative program (n = 38). After the 10-week treatment period, participants were followed for 1 year. Analyses were run in per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) samples. The primary outcome measure was time to depression relapse/recurrence.ResultsER + M training was not more effective than the control intervention in preventing depression relapse. However, PP and ITT analyses showed that participants trained in ER + M presented a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and overall psychopathology. Based on the PP and ITT analyses, neither of the interventions were related with an increase in dispositional mindfulness.ConclusionsMore studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of ER + M to decrease depressive symptoms and overall psychopathology.Trial registrationNCT02747134. Registered on 20 April 2016.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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- Swami Vivekananda and Practical Vedanta Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga April 16, 2026
- The Role of Mindfulness-Based Therapies in Alleviating Anxiety and Depression among Chinese University Students American Journal of Health Behavior June 30, 2024
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Cites 9
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- 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 cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
and 4 more in the library