Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
January 1, 2004
S. Helen Ma, John D. Teasdale
1,401 citations
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) added to usual care reduced relapse from 78% to 36% in recovered depressed patients with three or more previous episodes, replicating earlier findings. In patients with only two recent episodes, relapse rates were 20% with usual care and 50% with MBCT. MBCT was most effective at preventing relapses not preceded by life events. Relapses in the two-episode group were more often linked to significant life events. The two-episode group reported less childhood adversity and later first depression onset, suggesting distinct populations. MBCT is an effective way to prevent relapse in patients with three or more previous episodes.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
June 30, 2014
Julieta Galante, Ignacio Galante, Marie‐jet Bekkers et al.
379 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials found that kindness-based meditation (loving-kindness and compassion meditation) moderately reduces self-reported depression and increases mindfulness, compassion, and self-compassion compared to passive control groups. Positive emotions also increased compared to progressive relaxation. However, results were inconclusive against active controls, and the evidence suffered from low to moderate methodological quality and imprecision due to small studies. Some people may initially find the practice challenging. Overall, kindness-based meditation shows benefits for well-being and social interaction, but larger, well-conducted trials are needed.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
January 1, 1976
Daniel J. Goleman, Gary E. Schwartz
279 citations
Meditation may help manage stress by inducing a low-arousal state that inhibits the autonomic activation typical of the stress response. If the temporary effects of meditation become lasting traits, its significance as a daily stress intervention could be major. Experienced meditators practicing transcendental meditation showed a stress reactivity pattern that contrasts with that of chronically anxious individuals, particularly in faster stress recovery and lower state and trait anxiety levels.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
January 1, 2007
Helen F. Coelho, Peter H. Canter, Edzard Ernst
227 citations
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), a class-based program for preventing relapse of major depression, shows additive benefit to usual care for patients with three or more previous depressive episodes, according to evidence from two randomized clinical trials. However, because control groups did not isolate MBCT-specific effects, the findings cannot be attributed to the therapy itself. A systematic review of four relevant studies identified methodological weaknesses, highlighting the need for further research to determine whether MBCT has specific effects beyond general care.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
January 1, 1976
J. Cole Smith
70 citations
Introduced in 1959 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, transcendental meditation (TM) involves sitting quietly twice daily for 15 to 20 minutes while passively attending to a special thought called a mantra. The technique has been taught to at least 600,000 persons, partly because Maharishi claimed it is a natural and effective cure for mental illness. In a study comparing TM to a control treatment called periodic somatic inactivity (PSI)—which involved simply sitting with eyes closed—the PSI technique was contrived to match every aspect of TM except the meditative focus. The text does not report findings or outcomes.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
September 28, 2023
Christian A. Webb, Matthew J. Hirshberg, Oscar González et al.
6 citations
Mechanisms explaining why meditation training works may differ across patient subgroups. Prior research often collapsed heterogeneous groups, obscuring these differences. Using data from 662 participants, researchers developed a Personalized Advantage Index (PAI) to identify individuals likely to benefit more from a meditation app. A moderated mediation analysis showed that mindfulness acquisition mediated better outcomes only for those with higher PAI scores. This suggests that subgroup-specific mediators should be considered to clarify how psychosocial interventions work and to match individuals to the most beneficial treatment.