Mindfulness, as good as antidepressants for depression

That’s the conclusion from this study at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, in Ontario.

First, the details.

• 160 adults patients with major depressive disorder and a minimum of 2 past episodes were included in the study.
• Of these, 84 achieved remission and were assigned to 1 of the 3 treatment groups.
  • Discontinued their antidepressants and attended 8 weekly group sessions of Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
  • Continued their therapeutic dose of antidepressant medication
  • Discontinued active medication and were switched to placebo
• Relapse was defined as a return, for at least 2 weeks, of symptoms sufficient to meet the criteria for major depression on module A of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.

And, the results.

• There was no significant difference in relapse rates: 38% for MBCT, 46% for antidepressant maintenance, 60% for placebo.
• MBCT and antidepressant maintenance significantly reduced the risk for relapse in unstable remitters (ie, responders to treatment) compared to placebo.
• For stable remitters, there was no significant difference in relapse rates between the 3 groups: 62% for MBCT, 59% for antidepressant maintenance, and 50% for placebo

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “For those unwilling or unable to tolerate maintenance antidepressant treatment, MBCT offers equal protection from relapse during an 18-month period.”

The authors recommend to continue at least 1 long-term active treatment (MBCT or antidepressants) in unstable remitters.

Background on mindfulness is here.

12/10/10 21:20 JR