By Psych Central News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.on December 6, 2010
MBCT combines the use of tried-and-true cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques with greater focus on self-awareness and self-reflection.
In the current study, the researchers describe how they implemented mindfulness-based therapy: “This is accomplished through daily homework exercises featuring (1) guided (taped) awareness exercises directed at increasing moment-by-moment nonjudgmental awareness of bodily sensations, thoughts, and feelings; (2) accepting difficulties with a stance of self-compassion; and (3) developing an ‘action plan’ composed of strategies for responding to early warning signs of relapse/recurrence.”
Researchers led by Zindel Segal, Ph.D., of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada, studied 160 adults who met major depressive disorder criteria and had at least two previous episodes of depression.
After eight months of treatment, 84 — over half — achieved remission from depression. Patients in remission were then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 28 continued taking their medication; 30 had their medication slowly replaced by placebo; and 26 tapered their medication and then received MBCT.
The mindfulness therapy group had the lowest relapse rate at the 18-month followup — 38 percent, compared with 46 percent who were on maintenance antidepressant medication, an 8 percent difference. The placebo group had the worst depression relapse rate of 60 percent.
The researchers further examined and categorized people in the study according to whether they were considered stable or unstable remitters. About half (51 percent) of patients were classified as unstable remitters — individuals who had symptom “flurries” or intermittently higher scores on depression rating scales despite having a low enough average score to qualify for remission. The other half (49 percent) were stable remitters with consistently low scores.
Among unstable remitters, those taking maintenance medication or undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy were about 73 percent less likely to relapse than those taking placebo. Among stable remitters, there were no differences between the three groups.
“Our data highlight the importance of maintaining at least one active long-term treatment in recurrently depressed patients whose remission is unstable,” the authors wrote.
“For those unwilling or unable to tolerate maintenance antidepressant treatment, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy offers equal protection from relapse during an 18-month period.”
It is unclear exactly how mindfulness-based therapy works, but it may change neural pathways to support patterns that lead to recovery instead of to deeper depression, they note.
“Relapse and recurrence after recovery from major depressive disorder are common and debilitating outcomes that carry enormous personal, familial and societal costs,” the authors wrote as background information in the article.
The current standard for preventing relapse is maintenance therapy with a single antidepressant. This regimen is generally effective if patients take their medications, but as many as 40 percent of them do not.
“Alternatives to long-term antidepressant monotherapy, especially those that address mood outcomes in a broader context of well-being, may appeal to patients wary of continued intervention,” the authors said.
The study appears in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Source: JAMA
Share: html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://b.static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?8:26981) no-repeat top left; }Facebook | del.icio.us | reddit | Stumble |Related News Articles
Different Meds and Cognitive Therapy Help Teen DepressionGenetic Error Implicated in Risk of Depression New Clinical Guidelines for Major DepressionCognitive Therapy Helps All Types of Depression Simple Test Identifies Suicide Risk from Antidepressants The Difference between Depression and Premenstrual Dysphoric DisorderNew Drug Strategy for Depression?Acupuncture for Pregnancy-Related DepressionDoctors Don’t Follow Major Depression Diagnosis CriteriaLead Levels Link to Depression, Panic
Advocacy and Policy, Depression, General, Medications, Mental Health and Wellness, Professional, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Research -->
« News Index
TreatmentCommon TreatmentsPsychotherapyPsychiatric Medications Other TreatmentsECTRisks of ECTWhat to Expect from an ECT TreatmentECT Devices Never FDA ApprovedrTMS4 Kinds of Brain Stimulating Techniques Connect with OthersJoin Our Psychotherapy Support GroupJoin Our Meds Support GroupJoin Our Other Treatment Support GroupNewsGenetic Influence for Aggression?Social Ties Link Religion to Life SatisfactionSleep Deprivation May Ease Fearful MemoriesPerformance Expectations Subject to Gender BiasCell Energy Dysfunction Seen in AutismTeens with Hard-to-Treat Depression at High Risk for RelapseGene Mutation in Schizophrenia Linked to Mood, Anxiety DisordersLGB Youth Singled Out for Punishment
advertisementMost Popular NewsPerformance Expectations Subject to Gender Bias Sleep Deprivation May Ease Fearful Memories Social Ties Link Religion to Life Satisfaction Counseling Plus Computer Behavioral Therapy Helps Addicts Depression Fatigues Brain Reward Systems Gene Mutation in Schizophrenia Linked to Mood, Anxiety Disorders Parents in Denial of Sexually Active Children New Diet Recognizes Emotional Triggers Minority Children Feel Psychological Stress of Racism Some Mood Disorders Stay with Us As We Age Most Popular Blog PostsPsychotherapy Continues Decline as Depression Treatment 5 Tips for a Low-Stress Customer Service Experience Patent Medicine Redux: Drug Ads vs. Psychotherapy The Myth Behind Drinking 8 Glasses of Water a Day The Old Man and His Horse John Lennon: Psychodrama of a Gifted Child More on the Military and Antisocial Personality Disorder Life Is Like a Game of Candy Land I Think I'm in Love with My Therapist Top Ten Online Psychology Experiments Article Tools
Bookmark
Email Friend
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter
Users Online: 2652
Join Us Now!
Find a Therapist
.dmcontent_container {text-align: center;width: 125px;height: 100px;}.dmcontent_title {text-align: left; height: 20px; line-height: 20px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;width: 160px;color: #286EA0;background-color: #ffffff;}.dmcontent_body {overflow-y: auto; text-align: left;font-family: verdana,sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: 11px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;width: 118px;height: 79px;background-color: #FFFFFF;text-decoration: none;border-bottom: 1px dotted #000088;}.dmcontent_link {list-style: none; background:url("http://g.psychcentral.com/bullet8.gif") 0px 2px no-repeat;margin-top:1px;padding-left:19px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;margin-left:-4px;color: #000088;text-decoration: none;}.dmcontent_body a:link, a:active { background:url("http://g.psychcentral.com/bullet8.gif") 0px 2px no-repeat;color: #286EA0; text-decoration: none; }.dmcontent_body a:visited { background:url("http://g.psychcentral.com/bullet8.gif") 0px 2px no-repeat;color: #068; text-decoration: none; }.dmcontent_body a:hover { background:url("http://g.psychcentral.com/bullet8.gif") 0px 2px no-repeat;color: #00F; text-decoration: underline; }Local GuidesAll Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
advertisement
« Back to Previous Page• Bookmark This Page• Print Version
Need to chat with someone now? Live therapists are available 24/7 to chat online Home • About Us • Advertise with Us • Contact UsPrivacy Policy • Terms of Use • Site Map • Disclaimer/Disclosure • Feeds
Download the Psych Central Toolbar | Chat with a Live Counselor Now
Follow us on: Twitter or Facebook Copyright © 1992-2010 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 8 Dec 2010 #foot-mid { margin:0 0 0 40px; } Psych Central Professional
Psych Central Answers
Psych Central Blog Network
Psych Central News
Tests & Quizzes
Sanity Score
Forums • NeuroTalk
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar
Depression
Schizophrenia
Psychotherapy
We complywith the
HONcode
standard:
Verify here
0 comments:
Post a Comment