Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Lone Overby Fjorback, Mikkel Arendt, Eva Ørnbøl, Per Fink, Harald Walach
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01704.x via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) improves mental health and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduces the risk of depressive relapse. The review included 21 studies with at least 33 participants each. MBSR showed medium effect sizes in 11 studies compared to wait-list or treatment as usual, and was as effective as active control groups in three studies. MBCT reduced depressive relapse in two studies and was equally effective as treatment as usual or active control in two others. Limitations include a lack of active control groups and long-term follow-up in many studies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Psychotherapist Randomized controlled trial Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 810 |
| Key finding | MBSR improves mental health and MBCT prevents depressive relapse, with medium effect sizes, but evidence is limited by lack of active control groups and long-term follow-up. |
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Fjorback LO, Arendt M, Ørnbøl E, Fink P, Walach H. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence for MBSR and MBCT. METHOD: Systematic searches of Medline, PsycInfo and Embase were performed in October 2010. MBSR, MBCT and Mindfulness Meditation were key words. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) using the standard MBSR/MBCT programme with a minimum of 33 participants were included. RESULTS: The search produced 72 articles, of which 21 were included. MBSR improved mental health in 11 studies compared to wait list control or treatment as usual (TAU) and was as efficacious as active control group in three studies. MBCT reduced the risk of depressive relapse in two studies compared to TAU and was equally efficacious to TAU or an active control group in two studies. Overall, studies showed medium effect sizes. Among other limitations are lack of active control group and long-term follow-up in several studies. CONCLUSION: Evidence supports that MBSR improves mental health and MBCT prevents depressive relapse. Future RCTs should apply optimal design including active treatment for comparison, properly trained instructors and at least one-year follow-up. Future research should primarily tackle the question of whether mindfulness itself is a decisive ingredient by controlling against other active control conditions or true treatments.