Mindfulness in Mental Health
Since its conception in 2002 by Dr. Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has become an important tool in the fight against depression. According to the founders, MBCT uses meditative practices along with cognitive therapy to help patients with depression become aware of their disorder and manage it independently outside of therapy sessions. This form of therapy is supposed to help patients with Major Depressive Disorder combat the potential of relapsing into another episode of depression.
Multiple studies have shown that MBCT is just as effective as or even more effective than other treatments for depression, such as antidepressants.These studies, however, are based off of trials done by the founders of MBCT or by therapists trained by the founders. A recent study published in the journal, Mindfulness, sought the answer for those not trained. This study by Dr. Marloes Huijbers was the first to determine if there was indeed a relationship between a therapist’s familiarity in MBCT and the outcomes of the treatment.
This study looked at two trials. The first trial employed therapists who were highly familiar with MBCT, meaning they had a higher level of competence. The second trial employed therapists who were less familiar with MBCT and had a lower competence level. As for treatment outcomes, the study measured how often patients came to session, what skills were learned, and changes in symptoms of depression
Multiple studies have shown that MBCT is just as effective as or even more effective than other treatments for depression, such as antidepressants.These studies, however, are based off of trials done by the founders of MBCT or by therapists trained by the founders. A recent study published in the journal, Mindfulness, sought the answer for those not trained. This study by Dr. Marloes Huijbers was the first to determine if there was indeed a relationship between a therapist’s familiarity in MBCT and the outcomes of the treatment.
This study looked at two trials. The first trial employed therapists who were highly familiar with MBCT, meaning they had a higher level of competence. The second trial employed therapists who were less familiar with MBCT and had a lower competence level. As for treatment outcomes, the study measured how often patients came to session, what skills were learned, and changes in symptoms of depression
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a relatively new form of treatment against depression. Along with regular therapy, the patients are taught meditative practices they can use in their daily life in order to manage their depression.
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Dr. Huijbers and the team thought there would be a significant difference between the two trials, with better treatment outcomes for patients who had therapists with a higher competence in MBCT. However, the results of their study caught them by surprise. There was no difference between the two trials, meaning there was a lack of relationship between a therapist’s familiarity in MBCT and treatment outcome. How could this be?
Dr. Huijbers and team offered a couple of explanations. First of all, MBCT is applied in therapy sessions in a uniform manner, meaning there could be little to no influence by the therapist administering the treatment. Secondly, for MBCT to work, the patients have to apply what they learn from therapy sessions in their own lives outside of session. Therapists have little to no control over what patients do outside of session.
The study is still important in the world of mental health, as it sheds more light on how to measure the effectiveness of MBCT. This study also allows for researchers to bring up more relevant questions. Some examples include these questions: what influences a patient to apply what they learn from a MBCT session or how can MBCT be further improved? As such, this study paves the way for more research and an even better understanding of how to cure depression
Dr. Huijbers and team offered a couple of explanations. First of all, MBCT is applied in therapy sessions in a uniform manner, meaning there could be little to no influence by the therapist administering the treatment. Secondly, for MBCT to work, the patients have to apply what they learn from therapy sessions in their own lives outside of session. Therapists have little to no control over what patients do outside of session.
The study is still important in the world of mental health, as it sheds more light on how to measure the effectiveness of MBCT. This study also allows for researchers to bring up more relevant questions. Some examples include these questions: what influences a patient to apply what they learn from a MBCT session or how can MBCT be further improved? As such, this study paves the way for more research and an even better understanding of how to cure depression
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