Cited by 31Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Relapse/Recurrence Prevention in Major Depressive Disorder: 26-Month Follow-Up of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Versus an Active Control

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Shallcross, Amanda J., Willroth, Emily C., Fisher, Aaron, Dimidjian, Sona, Gross, James J., Visvanathan, Pallavi D., Mauss, Iris B.·2018·Behavior Therapy

Abstract

We conducted a 26-month follow-up of a previously reported 12-month study that compared mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to a rigorous active control condition (ACC) for depressive relapse/recurrence prevention and improvements in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Participants in remission from major depression were randomized to an 8-week MBCT group (n = 46) or the ACC (n = 46). Outcomes were assessed at baseline; postintervention; and 6, 12, and 26 months. Intention-to-treat analyses indicated no differences between groups for any outcome over the 26-month follow-up. Time to relapse results (MBCT vs. ACC) indicated a hazard ratio = .82, 95% CI [.34, 1.99]. Relapse rates were 47.8% for MBCT and 50.0% for ACC. Piecewise analyses indicated that steeper declines in depressive symptoms in the MBCT vs. the ACC group from postintervention to 12 months were not maintained after 12 months. Both groups experienced a marginally significant rebound of depressive symptoms after 12 months but were still improved at 26 months compared to baseline (b = -4.12, p <= .008). Results for life satisfaction were similar. In sum, over a 26-month follow-up, MBCT was no more effective for preventing depression relapse/recurrence, reducing depressive symptoms, or improving life satisfaction than a rigorous ACC. Based on epidemiological data and evidence from prior depression prevention trials, we discuss the possibility that both MBCT and ACC confer equal therapeutic benefit. Future studies that include treatment as usual (TAU) control conditions are needed to confirm this possibility and to rule out the potential role of time-related effects. Overall findings underscore the importance of comparing MBCT to TAU as well as to ACCs.

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  1. Kuyken W Byford S Taylor RS Watkins E Holden E White K Teasdale JD 2008 Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to prevent relapse in recurrent depression Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76 6 966 978 10.1037/a0013786 19045965 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Shallcross, A. J., Willroth, E. C., Fisher, A., Dimidjian, S., Gross, J. J., Visvanathan, P. D., & Mauss, I. B.
Affiliations
  • New York University (US)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
  • University of Colorado Boulder (US)
  • Stanford University (US)
Corresponding author
Shallcross, Amanda J.
Venue
Behavior Therapy
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-09
Volume
49
Issue
5
Pages
836-849
ISSN
0005-7894 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2791650420
Cited by
31
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 2
FWCI
4.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Behavior Therapy (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (F32AT004879)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, major depressive disorder, relapse prevention, recurrence prevention, active control, long-term follow-up, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, remission, maintenance of treatment effects
MeSH terms
Adult, Chronic Disease, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychotherapy, Group, Recurrence, Time Factors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Secondary Prevention, Young Adult, Mindfulness

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