Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy: A comparison with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
A Knowledge Translation Piece by Supriya Thukral
What you need to know:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) have both been used to treat patients diagnosed with major depression. The present study compares the two treatments and it was found that patients diagnosed with major depression exhibit statistically significant improvement under both of the treatments; there are no statistically significant differences in the effects of both the treatments. However, patients who have experienced four or more depressive episodes demonstrated a greater improvement under the CBT treatment, while no such correlation has been found for patients under the MBCT treatment.
What is the research about?
In numerous studies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be efficient and effective in the treatment of patients with depression (Beck, 2005). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an adaptation of CBT and was originally developed to prevent relapse of patients recovering from depressive episodes, but has been found to be an effective alternative to traditional CBT. In particular, MBCT combines elements of CBT such as understanding maladaptive assumptions and beliefs, and key elements of meditation such as acknowledging dysfunctional thoughts without producing an emotional response (Morgan, 2003). MBCT has been shown to statistically significantly reduce the risk of relapse within a 60-week time period in patients with a history of three or more previous episodes of depression (Teasdale et al., 2000). In the present study, researchers compare the effectiveness of MBCT and CBT, and examine whether there are any differences in treatment among patients with fewer than four episodes of depression and patients with four or more prior episodes of depression. The researchers hypothesized that both MBCT and CBT would be equally effective in reducing depression in patients experiencing a current episode. Moreover, both treatments would be equally effective in reducing depression in those of a history with four or more episodes.
What did the researchers do?
One hundred and sixty-three individuals currently in a non-psychotic depressive episode were screened in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to a waitlist controls group (no treatment), an eight-week CBT treatment group, and an eight-week MBCT treatment group. Patient depressive symptoms were assessed through the Beck Depressive Inventory test (BDI) and anxiety symptoms were assessed through the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
What did the researchers find?
Researchers found that in both treatment groups, the depressive score dropped statistically significantly on the BDI and BAI scales — “severe” to “mild,”. Participants with a history of four or more prior depressive episodes in the CBT group showed statistically significant improvements in depression, as compared to those with less than four episodes of depression. The same improvement was not exhibited in the MBCT condition. Follow-up examinations of BDI and BAI scores at intervals of 6-months and 12-months exhibited no significant differences.
How can you use this research?
This study highlights that MBCT and CBT are equally effective for treating current depression, and also acts as a preventative measure for the onset of depression for individuals who have suffered from depressive disorders. While this study does not examine effects of MBCT on individuals who have not suffered from depressive disorders, one would hypothesize that MBCT has a positive effect on mental well-being, and can be used as a long-term destressing activity.
About the Researchers:
Manicavasagar, V. (PhD) is the Director of Psychological Services and Director of the Psychology Clinic at the Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Parker, G. (PhD) is a Professor at the School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Perich, T. (PhD) is a registered psychologist at the Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
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Sources:
Beck, A. T. (2005). The current state of cognitive therapy: a 40-year retrospective. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(9), 953.
Manicavasgar, V., Parker, G., & Perich, T. (2011). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy vs cognitive behaviour therapy as a treatment for non-melancholic depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 130(1), 138–144.
Morgan, D. (2003). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. Psychotherapy Research, 13(1), 123–125.
Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., Ridgeway, V. A., Soulsby, J. M., & Lau, M. A. (2000). Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 68(4), 615.
