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Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Lisa Murphy, PA-C
Abstract
Introduction: Clinically diagnosed depressive disorders are mental and emotional imbalances which bring forth a feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, and in many cases suicidality. Current treatment regimens, such as medications and therapy, do not work for all patients with clinically diagnosed depression. Due to dire potential consequences of unresolved depressive disorders, it is essential to develop more treatments for depression. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has shown promise in treating many forms of depression while providing users with skills to better cope with thoughts and feelings they may encounter in the future. Therefore, this review analyzes the efficacy of MBCT (I) for the treatment of amount/severity of depression symptoms (O) in patients with a clinically diagnosed depressive disorder (P) compared to treatment as usual (C).
Methods: A PubMed literature search was utilized, and seven articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, study design, and relevance.
Results: Based on the review of the literature, there is evidence to suggest that MBCT has efficacy in reducing depression symptoms and severity in patients across many spectrums of depression. Although not all studies found a statistically significant improvement in the outcome variable, every study mentioned showed an improvement/ trend towards lowering depression symptoms and severity. Furthermore, patients that underwent MBCT showed improvements in treatment satisfaction, decreased rates of suicidality, increased quality of life measurements, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, emotional regulation, impulse control, rumination diminishment, and less worry.
Discussion: The literature cited in this review proved to be statistically dependable. All trials that were reviewed were randomized controlled trials, although not all were double blinded. Adequate sample sizes were present in six out of seven of the articles. Outcome measurement tools were varied and reliable. Statistical procedures outlined in the literature were detailed and clearly reliable. Bias was not likely in any of the articles. One major flaw of many of the articles was lack of long-term follow-up. Reassessment of depression severity scores at one year after treatment is crucial to supporting MBCT as a reliable therapy.
Conclusion: MBCT showed efficacious results as a treatment regimen for a wide spectrum of clinically diagnosed depressive disorders. With many studies supporting lowered depression severity scores, as well as significantly improved secondary outcomes (highlighted above), MBCT has efficacy in this patient population. It is reasonable to recommend MBCT as a therapy after first line treatments have failed. Furthermore, lack of adverse effects as well as low cost makes this treatment option particularly appealing. Interestingly, there is a significant correlation between time spent participating in MBCT (practicing mindfulness) and lowered depression severity scores. This highlights mindfulness’ utility as a skill for improving the mental health of those who utilize it.
Recommended Citation
Howell, Patrick, "The Efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy in Treating Clinically Diagnosed Depression" (2021). Capstone Showcase. 88.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2021/pa/88
The Efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy in Treating Clinically Diagnosed Depression
Introduction: Clinically diagnosed depressive disorders are mental and emotional imbalances which bring forth a feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, and in many cases suicidality. Current treatment regimens, such as medications and therapy, do not work for all patients with clinically diagnosed depression. Due to dire potential consequences of unresolved depressive disorders, it is essential to develop more treatments for depression. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has shown promise in treating many forms of depression while providing users with skills to better cope with thoughts and feelings they may encounter in the future. Therefore, this review analyzes the efficacy of MBCT (I) for the treatment of amount/severity of depression symptoms (O) in patients with a clinically diagnosed depressive disorder (P) compared to treatment as usual (C).
Methods: A PubMed literature search was utilized, and seven articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, study design, and relevance.
Results: Based on the review of the literature, there is evidence to suggest that MBCT has efficacy in reducing depression symptoms and severity in patients across many spectrums of depression. Although not all studies found a statistically significant improvement in the outcome variable, every study mentioned showed an improvement/ trend towards lowering depression symptoms and severity. Furthermore, patients that underwent MBCT showed improvements in treatment satisfaction, decreased rates of suicidality, increased quality of life measurements, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, emotional regulation, impulse control, rumination diminishment, and less worry.
Discussion: The literature cited in this review proved to be statistically dependable. All trials that were reviewed were randomized controlled trials, although not all were double blinded. Adequate sample sizes were present in six out of seven of the articles. Outcome measurement tools were varied and reliable. Statistical procedures outlined in the literature were detailed and clearly reliable. Bias was not likely in any of the articles. One major flaw of many of the articles was lack of long-term follow-up. Reassessment of depression severity scores at one year after treatment is crucial to supporting MBCT as a reliable therapy.
Conclusion: MBCT showed efficacious results as a treatment regimen for a wide spectrum of clinically diagnosed depressive disorders. With many studies supporting lowered depression severity scores, as well as significantly improved secondary outcomes (highlighted above), MBCT has efficacy in this patient population. It is reasonable to recommend MBCT as a therapy after first line treatments have failed. Furthermore, lack of adverse effects as well as low cost makes this treatment option particularly appealing. Interestingly, there is a significant correlation between time spent participating in MBCT (practicing mindfulness) and lowered depression severity scores. This highlights mindfulness’ utility as a skill for improving the mental health of those who utilize it.