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Decentering and Relapse/Recurrence in MBCT for Depression in Adults

The Association Between Decentering and Reductions in Relapse/Recurrence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05111665
Enrollment
227
Registered
2021-11-08
Start date
2008-02-14
Completion date
2008-10-31
Last updated
2021-11-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression, Depressive Disorder, Major, Depression in Remission

Brief summary

Objective: Decentering is defined as the ability to observe one's thoughts and feelings as temporary, objective events in the mind, and is increasingly regarded as a candidate mechanism in mindfulness-based interventions. The current study sought to examine the role of decentering, and other related variables, in the efficacy of Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as compared to two active comparison conditions. Method: Formerly depressed individuals (N = 227), randomly assigned to MBCT (n = 74), relaxation group therapy (RGT; n = 77) or treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 76), completed self-report measures of decentering and symptoms of depression at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, and relapse was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, post-treatment.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALRelaxation Group Therapy (RGT)
BEHAVIORALTreatment as usual (TAU)

Sponsors

University of British Columbia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association (APA), diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) without psychotic features, in Full Remission; * three or more prior major depressive episodes; * age between 18 and 65 years; * cognitive reactivity (CR) or mood-activated dysfunctional beliefs score greater than or equal to eight (see assessment procedure below); * a score of less than 10 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD); * minimum of a 10 week period free of psychotropic medication other than stable dosage of antidepressant medication for a minimum of four weeks; * fluency in English; An increased cognitive reactivity score of eight points or more and, * ability to give informed consent and complete questionnaires unassisted.

Exclusion criteria

* a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (past or present), schizophreniform disorders, substance abuse or dependence (current or within the past six months), borderline or antisocial personality disorder, or neurocognitive disorders; * current psychotherapy or counselling more frequently than twice per month; * current practice of meditation more than once per week or yoga more than twice per week; * electroconvulsive therapy within the past six months; or * self-reported ingestion of alcohol or other psychoactive substances within the past 48 hrs.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Major depressive disorder (MDD) relapse/recurrence - incidence of12- month post-treatment follow-upNumber of participants meeting criteria for relapse/recurrence of MDD during follow-up
Change in major depressive disorder (MDD) relapse/recurrence - time to relapse/recurrence3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- month post-treatment follow-upChange in relapse/recurrence of MDD (i.e., survival) across follow-up

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition total scoresPre-, mid- (i.e., at week 4 of MBCT), and post-treatment (i.e., after 8 weeks of MBCT)Change in symptoms of depression across MBCT treatment

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026