Preventing Depression Relapse: A Qualitative Study on the Need for Additional Structured Support Following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the need for and strategies to provide additional support for MBCT graduates to maintain long-term benefits and reduce depression relapse.
Results Summary
Participants highly valued MBCT but faced challenges maintaining practices post-course, leading to interest in a maintenance program to sustain benefits and reduce relapse risk.
Population
MBCT graduates (n=18) and MBCT teachers (n=16).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | depression relapse | - | - | is an effective group intervention for reducing rates of | #1 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | increase | relapse | MBCT graduates | about one-third | about one-third of graduates experience | #2 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | neutral | - | participants | - | is highly valued and was, for some, "life changing" | #3 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | MBCT practices | participants | - | participants described challenges with maintaining | #4 |
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | benefits after the course | participants | - | participants described challenges with sustaining | #5 |
additional support following MBCT in the form of a maintenance program | decrease | depression relapse | MBCT graduates | - | may help MBCT graduates maintain practice and sustain benefits longer-term, thereby decreasing risk for | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an effective group intervention for reducing rates of depression relapse. However, about one-third of graduates experience relapse within 1 year of completing the course. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the need and strategies for additional support following the MBCT course. METHODS: We conducted 4 focus groups via videoconferencing, two with MBCT graduates (n = 9 in each group) and two with MBCT teachers (n = 9; n = 7). We explored participants' perceived need for and interest in MBCT programming beyond the core program and ways to optimize the long-term benefits of MBCT. We conducted thematic content analysis to identify patterns in transcribed focus group sessions. Through an iterative process, multiple researchers developed a codebook, independently coded the transcripts, and derived themes. RESULTS: Participants said the MBCT course is highly valued and was, for some, "life changing." Participants also described challenges with maintaining MBCT practices and sustaining benefits after the course despite using a range of approaches (ie, community and alumni-based meditation groups, mobile applications, taking the MBCT course a second time) to maintain mindfulness and meditative practice. One participant described finishing the MBCT course as feeling like "falling off a cliff." Both MBCT graduates and teachers were enthusiastic about the prospect of additional support following MBCT in the form of a maintenance program. CONCLUSION: Some MBCT graduates experienced difficulty maintaining practice of the skills they learned in the course. This is not surprising given that maintained behavior change is challenging and difficulty sustaining mindfulness practice after a mindfulness-based intervention is not specific to MBCT. Participants shared that additional support following the MBCT program is desired. Therefore, creating an MBCT maintenance program may help MBCT graduates maintain practice and sustain benefits longer-term, thereby decreasing risk for depression relapse.