Title
Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Effective for Preventing Relapse of Depression in Adults?
Date of Award
2020
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective for preventing relapse of depression in adults.
Study Design: Review of three English-language randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2015.
Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to comparable treatment options found via PubMed.
Outcomes measured: Outcome measured was presence or absence of relapse of major depressive episodes in adults determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.
Results: Kuyken et al. found that there was not a statistically significant difference in the incidence of relapse of depression in a adults between those using MBCT and those on maintenance anti-depressant therapy (p=.43 Lancet. 2015;386(9988):63-73. doi: S0140- 6736(14)62222-4 [pii]). After further analysis, the NNT for this study of 33 indicated a small treatment effect. Similarly, Shallcross et al. again found no difference between groups receiving MBCT and those participating in an active control condition (p=.91 J Consult Clin Psychol. 2015;83(5):964-975. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000050 [doi].). Again, after analysis there was a small treatment effect (NNT=-45). Finally, Williams et al. again showed no significant difference in relapse rates between groups receiving MBCT combined with TAU and those using TAU alone(p=.13 J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014;82(2):275-286. doi: 10.1037/a0035036). However, upon further analysis their treatment effects were found to be the largest of the three studies evaluated in this review (NNT=14).
Conclusion: This review showed that there is no difference between MCBT and control conditions in successful prevention of depressive episodes in adults. It was determined that MBCT is a viable treatment option for those with MDD, but it was not shown to be superior to other know treatment modalities such as antidepressant therapy or psychotherapy.
Recommended Citation
O’Brien, Katelynn S., "Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Effective for Preventing Relapse of Depression in Adults?" (2020). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 536.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/536