NCT02226042

Investigating the Mechanisms of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Investigating the Neuropsychological Mechanisms Underlying Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 112 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Manchester · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This research will investigate the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying the eight-week Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme. Participants in remission from depression will be seen pre- and post-MBCT to assess the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms. All will be followed-up over 12 months to assess the relationship of these neuropsychological changes with relapse risk. The research will focus primarily on changes in self-compassion, rumination, attention and structural brain changes, with secondary focus on other mechanisms of emotional processing and memory.

Detailed description

There will be three groups in total. * The first group will take 36 participants in remission from major depression (rMDD) through the 8 week MBCT program. * A control group of 36 rMDD participants will not receive the intervention. * A group of never depressed healthy control participants will also be recruited. Research visits for participants not undergoing MBCT will be separated by an 8 week gap. All participants will be seen before and after the 8 weeks for completion of neuropsychological assessments and questionnaires. rMDD participants will be followed up over the following 12 months to identify any predictors of relapse.

Conditions

• Major Depression (in Remission)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy	MBCT: Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy is an 8 week group-based programme consisting of approximately 12 participants per group. There is also a full one day of practice around week 6. MBCT was initially designed for individuals in remission from depression and at risk of relapsing. The intervention is a mix of mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioural therapy exercises and psychoeducation. MBCT has been shown to be effective in reducing relapse risk over 12 months.

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-10-01
• Primary completion: 2016-10-01
• Completion: 2017-10-01
• First posted: 2014-08-26
• Last updated: 2018-05-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom