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Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prophylaxis.

Current opinion in psychiatry
January 1, 2016
Zindel V Segal et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review recent evidence on the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prevention in remitted patients, as well as explore its potential applications in novel populations.

Results Summary

MBCT showed efficacy comparable to maintenance antidepressant pharmacotherapy, reducing relapse risk by 30-40%. Early data suggest potential benefits for other conditions like health anxiety and fibromyalgia, with neuroimaging studies supporting behavioral improvements through changes in brain regions linked to self-focus and emotion regulation.

Population

Patients with residual depressive symptoms, remitted patients at risk for relapse, and novel populations (acutely depressed, health anxiety, social anxiety, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
neutral
-
patients with residual depressive symptoms or in remitted patients at increased risk for relapse
-
provided evidence for the efficacy
#1
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
no change
maintenance antidepressant pharmacotherapy
-
-
on par with
#2
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
decrease
risk
-
30-40%
leading to a relative reduction of risk
#3
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
neutral
-
acutely depressed patients, those diagnosed with health anxiety, social anxiety, fibromyalgia, or multiple chemical sensitivities
-
extending
#4
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
neutral
-
-
-
migrating
#5
mindfulness meditation
increase
activation in brain regions subsuming self-focus and emotion regulation (prefrontal cortex) and interoceptive awareness (insula)
patients in structured therapies
-
increased activation
#6
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
neutral
residual depressive symptoms
-
-
evidence base is strongest for its application as a prophylactic intervention or for
#7
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
neutral
mood disorders
-
-
early data suggesting additional indications outside
#8
Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The article reviews the recent evidence for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for patients with residual depressive symptoms or in remitted patients at increased risk for relapse. RECENT FINDINGS: Randomized controlled trials have shifted focus from comparing MBCT with treatment-as-usual to comparing MBCT against interventions. These studies have provided evidence for the efficacy of MBCT on par with maintenance antidepressant pharmacotherapy and leading to a relative reduction of risk on the order of 30-40%. Perhaps fuelled by these data, recent efforts have focused on extending MBCT to novel populations, such as acutely depressed patients, those diagnosed with health anxiety, social anxiety, fibromyalgia, or multiple chemical sensitivities as well migrating MBCT to online platforms so that it is more widely available. Neuroimaging studies of patients in structured therapies which feature mindfulness meditation, have reported findings that parallel behavioral changes, such as increased activation in brain regions subsuming self-focus and emotion regulation (prefrontal cortex) and interoceptive awareness (insula). SUMMARY: The current evidence base for MBCT is strongest for its application as a prophylactic intervention or for residual depressive symptoms, with early data suggesting additional indications outside the mood disorders. Future work will need to address dose-effect relationships between mindfulness practice and clinical benefits, as well as establishing the rates of uptake for online MBCT so that its benefits can be compared to in-person groups. Additionally, validating current or novel neural markers of MBCT treatment response will allow for patient matching and optimization of treatment response.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Antidepressive AgentsAwarenessChronic DiseaseCognitive Behavioral TherapyDepressionHumansMeditationMindfulnessRecurrenceSecondary Prevention
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations30
Citations/Year3.3
Relative Citation Ratio1.59
NIH Percentile67.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.06
Normalized Score0.72
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