Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

Journal article

This study evaluated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), a group intervention designed to train recovered recurrently depressed patients to disengage from dysphoria-activated depressogenic thinking that may mediate relapse/recurrence. Recovered recurrently depressed patients (n = 145) were randomized to continue with treatment as usual or, in addition, to receive MBCT. Relapse/recurrence to major depression was assessed over a 60-week study period. For patients with 3 or more previous episodes of depression (77% of the sample), MBCT significantly reduced risk of relapse/recurrence. For patients with only 2 previous episodes, MBCT did not reduce relapse/recurrence. MBCT offers a promising cost-efficient psychological approach to preventing relapse/recurrence in recovered recurrently depressed patients.

Authors: Teasdale, J; Segal, Z; Williams, J; Ridgeway, V; Soulsby, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 615-623
• Publication date: 2000-08-01
• DOI: 10.1037//0022-006x.68.4.615
• EISSN: 1939-2117
• ISSN: 0022-006X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; Recurrence; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Male; Ontario; Antidepressive Agents; Cognitive Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; England; Thinking; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Survival Analysis; Middle Aged; Adult; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales