Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent depression: Do we need to exclude currently depressed patients?

Abstract

For many patients, major depression is a recurrent disorder and a potential chronic disease causing significant levels of distress. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an 8-week training combining meditation exercises and cognitive therapy aimed at preventing relapse in patients with remitted depression. It provides an alternative for maintenance anti-depressant medication which is often prescribed for many years. Expert opinions about MBCT suggested that patients with a current depression should be excluded from participating in MBCT. However, Van Aalderen and colleagues showed that currently depressed participants do benefit of MBCT to the same extent as patients in remission. The reductions of depressive symptoms and rumination in currently depressed patients were comparable to those of patients without a current depression. In addition, mindfulness skills like acting with awareness or acceptance did increase in both groups in a similar way. The results were maintained over a 1-year follow-up period after the training. Experiences of MBCT in both trainers and participants were explored as well as the difference in perception between therapists with and without a Christian background. The results of this PhD thesis suggest a wider applicability of MBCT than previously assumed.