The effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on rumination tendencies in formerly depressed individuals: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: Individuals with a history of recurrent depressive episodes are at increased risk of negative patterns of information processing being activated when experiencing dysphoric mood. Rumination is one of those cognitive processes. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a preventative treatment for depressive relapse which aims to facilitate disengagement from unhelpful cognitive processing styles. The aim of this study, which is a part of an ongoing trial, was to assess the effect of MBCT on rumination tendencies in formerly depressed individuals, measured by self-report measures and an experimental task. The effect of the treatment on depressive and anxiety symptoms were also explored. Method: In total, 69 participants, with a history of at least three episodes of depression, were randomly assigned to either an eight-week long MBCT or a wait-list for eight weeks with stratified randomization based on current depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication use. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess rumination, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. An experimental task was used to examine the effect of inducing dysphoric mood and self-focused analytical thinking on global negative self-judgements, before and after MBCT or the waiting. Results: The MBCT group did not show a greater reduction in self-reported rumination tendencies in comparison to the wait-list group. MBCT did not reduce the effect of induced self-focused analytical thinking on ratings of negative global self-judgements. However, the results demonstrated an overall decrease in negative-self judgements after the treatment that was not apparent in the wait-list group. The MBCT also decreased depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to the wait-list. Conclusion: The results suggest that for formerly depressed individuals, MBCT may reduce global negative self-judgements independent of mood or analytical self-focus. Thus, the study implies that facilitating experiential awareness of thoughts may change their content. The study also demonstrates the efficacy of MBCT in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Further studies are needed to explore the effect of MBCT on rumination tendencies with different modes of measurements.