The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on risk and protective factors of depressive relapse – a randomized wait-list controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The aim of this randomized wait-list controlled trial was to explore the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on risk and protective factors for depressive relapse within the domains of cognition, emotion and self-relatedness. Methods: Sixty-eight individuals with recurrent depressive disorder were randomized to MBCT or a wait-list control condition (WLC). Results: Completers of MBCT (N = 26) improved significantly on measures assessing risk and protective factors of recurrent depression compared to WLC (N = 30) on measures of rumination (d = 0.59, p = .015), emotion regulation (d = 0.50, p = .028), emotional reactivity to stress (d = 0.32, p = .048), self-compassion (d = 1.02, p < .001), mindfulness (d = 0.59, p = .010), and depression (d = 0.40, p = .018). In the Intention To Treat sample, findings were attenuated, but there were still significant results on measures of rumination, self-compassion and depression. Conclusions: Findings from the present trial contribute to evidence that MBCT can lead to reduction in risk factors of depressive relapse, and strengthening of factors known to be protective of depressive relapse. The largest changes were found in the domain of self-relatedness, in the form of large effects on the participants' ability to be less self-judgmental and more self-compassionate.

Self‐criticism and self‐reassurance in individuals with recurrent depression: Effects of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy and relationship to relapse

“…The participants also underwent electrocardiography (ECG) measurement and performed cognitive tests that are not reported in the present study. For further details regarding the details of the data collection, please see Schanche et al (2020).…”

“…In a recent RCT of MBCT (Schanche et al, 2020), from which the data in the present study are retrieved, the main effect of MBCT was in the domain of self-relatedness, as measured by the SCS (Neff, 2003). The SCS is a composite scale that comprises both how the individual relates to themselves, whether they feel isolated or connected to others and whether they feel over-identified with own thoughts and emotions.…”

“…Several studies have found that MBCT is associated with an increase in the ability of participants to relate to themselves with self-compassion when experiencing difficulties (Kuyken et al, 2010;Rimes & Wingrove, 2013;Schanche et al, 2020), as measured by the SCS (Neff, 2003). There are also findings indicating that changes in self-compassion are an important mechanism through which MBCT has its effect (Kuyken et al, 2010).…”

“…The use of the FSCRS is new in the MBCT literature. We therefore decided to report the findings from our investigation of whether MBCT did have an effect on the dimensions of self-inadequacy, selfhate and self-reassurance separately from our published RCT study (Schanche et al, 2020). This gave us the opportunity to present the FSCRS scale, its theoretical rationale, empirical support and the current findings in more detail.…”

Can Yogic Breathing Techniques Like Simha Kriya and Isha Kriya Regulate COVID-19-Related Stress?

“…Studies have shown that Yoga therapy/meditation can improve health and well-being of a diseased individual by reducing stress besides boosting the immune response (Thirthalli et al, 2013;Danhauer et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2020;Venkatesh et al, 2020). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can significantly reduce stress, depression and anger, when administered in-person, or virtually (Schanche et al, 2020;Kuo et al, 2021;Orosa-Duarte et al, 2021;Strauss et al, 2021). Similar to Yoga, mindfulness-based Abbreviations: ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ARDS, Acute respiratory distress syndrome; CD4, Cluster of differentiation 4; CD8, Cluster of differentiation 8; COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019; COX2, Cyclooxygenase 2; HCWs, Health care workers; HDAC2, Histone Deacetylase 2; HDAC3, Histone Deacetylase 3; HDAC9, Histone Deacetylase 9; LDBT, Isha kriya or long duration breathing technique; MCP-1, Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; RIPK2, Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2; SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; SARS-CoV-2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2/novel coronavirus; SDBT, Simha kriya or short duration breathing technique.…”