Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Prevents Depression Relapse: Individual Patient Meta-Analysis
Does mindfulness therapy prevent depression relapse?
Yes. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly reduces the risk of depressive relapse and is as effective as antidepressants for preventing relapse in recurrent depression. An individual patient data meta-analysis of 9 trials with 1,258 participants shows that MBCT reduces relapse risk by approximately 31% compared to usual care and performs comparably to maintenance antidepressant medication.
MBCT works by combining mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy techniques, teaching people to recognize early warning signs of depression and respond skillfully to negative thought patterns that can trigger relapse, rather than getting caught in depressive spirals.