Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects.

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Recovered recurrently depressed patients were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Replicating previous findings, MBCT reduced relapse from 78% to 36% in 55 patients with 3 or more previous episodes; but in 18 patients with only 2 (recent) episodes corresponding figures were 20% and 50%. MBCT was most effective in preventing relapses not preceded by life events. Relapses were more often associated with significant life events in the 2-episode group. This group also reported less childhood adversity and later first depression onset than the 3-or-more-episode group, suggesting that these groups represented distinct populations. MBCT is an effective and efficient way to prevent relapse/recurrence in recovered depressed patients with 3 or more previous episodes.