A randomized controlled trial will compare Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) with a routinely offered Stress Reduction Psychoeducation (SRP) program for healthcare and other public sector staff in the United Kingdom. The trial aims to determine whether MBCT-L is more effective than SRP in reducing perceived stress and improving mental health and work-related outcomes. A total of 260 participants were recruited into 26 groups across NHS trusts, with outcomes measured at 6, 12, and 20 weeks. The primary outcome is change in perceived stress from baseline to 20 weeks. A qualitative substudy with 30 participants will explore perceived well-being changes and barriers to uptake. Data analysis is underway.
Depression affects about 5% of people worldwide, with high relapse rates and 10-20% experiencing chronic depression. In 20 participants with moderate-to-severe persistent depression who had no prior mindfulness training, interviews revealed that mindfulness capacity decreases during depressive episodes. Six themes emerged: behavioral withdrawal, perceptual detachment from experience, intentional reduction in awareness, increased self-criticism, racing thoughts, and impaired cognitive performance. Reduced mindfulness appears to occur both as an indirect consequence of depression-related processes like rumination and as a deliberate self-protective strategy, but it also maintains and intensifies depressive experience. Introducing mindfulness-based treatments to this population may be challenging because severe symptoms can obstruct access to a mindful perspective.