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Effects of mindfulness on meta-awareness and specificity of describing prodromal symptoms in suicidal depression.

Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
February 1, 2010
Emily Hargus et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness training (MBCT) improves meta-awareness and memory specificity in depressed individuals with a history of suicidal crises.

Results Summary

MBCT significantly improved meta-awareness and memory specificity compared to treatment as usual (TAU), suggesting mindfulness helps patients reflect on past crises in a detailed and decentered way, potentially preventing relapse.

Population

27 depressed participants with a history of suicidal crises.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

3 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (2)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) plus treatment as usual (TAU)
increase
meta-awareness
depressed participants who had experienced suicidal crises
-
displayed significant posttreatment differences
#1
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) plus treatment as usual (TAU)
increase
specificity of memory
depressed participants who had experienced suicidal crises
-
displayed significant posttreatment differences
#2
Abstract

The authors examined the effects of mindfulness training on 2 aspects of mode of processing in depressed participants: degree of meta-awareness and specificity of memory. Each of these has been suggested as a maladaptive aspect of a mode of processing linked to persistence and recurrence of symptoms. Twenty-seven depressed participants, all of whom had experienced suicidal crises, described warning signs for their last crisis. These descriptions were blind-rated independently for meta-awareness and specificity. Participants were then randomly allocated to receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone, and retested after 3 months. Results showed that, although comparable at baseline, patients randomized to MBCT displayed significant posttreatment differences in meta-awareness and specificity compared with TAU patients. These results suggest that mindfulness training may enable patients to reflect on memories of previous crises in a detailed and decentered way, allowing them to relate to such experiences in a way that is likely to be helpful in preventing future relapses.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAwarenessCognitive Behavioral TherapyDepressionDepressive DisorderFemaleHumansMaleMemoryMiddle AgedPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesRecurrenceSeverity of Illness IndexSuicideSuicide Prevention
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality78/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations78
Citations/Year5.2
Relative Citation Ratio2.91
NIH Percentile84.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.35
Normalized Score0.70
Related Supplements
Effects of mindfulness on meta-awareness and specificity of ... | Panacea Index