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Follow-up outcomes of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for patients with chronic, treatment-resistant
Mira B Cladder-Micus1, Janna N Vrijsen2, Antine Fest3
1Depression Expertise Centre, Pro Persona Mental Health Care, the Netherlands; Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Background:
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based treatment for depression. The current study focused on the long-term outcomes of MBCT for chronically, treatment-resistant depressed patients during a 6-months follow-up period. Additionally, predictors of treatment outcomes were explored.
Method:
The outcomes of MBCT on depressive symptoms, remission rates, quality of life, rumination, mindfulness skills and self-compassion were investigated in a cohort of chronically, treatment-resistant depressed outpatients (N = 106), who had taken part in an RCT comparing MBCT with treatment-as-usual (TAU). Measures were assessed pre-MBCT, post-MBCT, at 3-months follow-up, and at 6-months follow-up.
Results:
Results of linear mixed effect models and Bayesian repeated measures ANOVA's reveal that depressive symptoms, quality of life, rumination, mindfulness skills and self-compassion consolidated during follow-up. Remission rates even further increased over the course of follow-up. When controlling for symptoms at baseline, higher baseline levels of rumination predicted lower depressive symptoms and quality of life at 6-month follow-up. No other predictors (i.e. duration of current depressive episode, level of treatment-resistance, childhood trauma, mindfulness skills, self-compassion) were found.
Limitations:
All participants received MBCT, therefore time or other non-specific effects might have influenced the results and replication studies including a control conditions are needed.
Conclusions:
Results indicate that the clinical benefits of MBCT for chronically, treatment-resistant depressed patients persist up to 6 months after completing MBCT. Duration of the current episode, level of treatment-resistance, childhood trauma and baseline levels of mindfulness skills and self-compassion did not predict treatment outcome. When controlling for baseline depressive symptoms participants with high levels of rumination seem to benefit more; however more research is needed.
Trial Registry:
Dutch Trial Registry, number NTR4843.
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